[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The decision on whether Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung, who is accused of spreading false information related to the 'forced hospitalization of his older brother,' will retain his gubernatorial position will be made on the 16th.
The Supreme Court announced on the 13th that the sentencing date for Governor Lee's charge of false information disclosure has been set for the 16th.
The Supreme Court's small bench has been deliberating on this case for over two months since April but failed to reach an agreement, and on the 18th of last month, the case was referred to the full bench to conclude the hearing.
Governor Lee was indicted on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights for allegedly ordering the head of the health center, a psychiatrist, and others to forcibly hospitalize his older brother in a psychiatric hospital in June 2012 while serving as mayor of Seongnam.
He is also accused of making false statements (false information disclosure under the Public Official Election Act) during a TV debate held before the 2018 local elections, claiming that he never attempted to forcibly hospitalize his older brother.
The first trial court found that Governor Lee had attempted to forcibly hospitalize his older brother but ruled that it did not constitute abuse of authority or obstruction of the exercise of rights, acquitting him of all charges.
However, the second trial court, while also acquitting him of abuse of authority and obstruction of the exercise of rights charges as in the first trial, found him guilty of false information disclosure and sentenced him to a fine of 3 million won, which results in disqualification from office.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
