'Violation of Public Official Election Act' Lee Sang-jik First Trial Sentencing Today... Will There Be a Disqualification Sentence?

Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-jik is deep in thought while attending the full meeting of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] The court's verdict on independent lawmaker Lee Sang-jik (Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul, currently detained), who has been indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, will be announced today (16th).

The 11th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Kang Dong-won) will hold a sentencing hearing at 10 a.m. for Lee and nine other defendants, including three city council members.

Lee faces five charges under the Public Official Election Act, including donation acts, false statement publication, and preliminary election campaigning.

He is accused of providing traditional liquor and booklets worth about 26 million won to 377 constituents on three occasions from January to September 2019 while serving as the President of the Small and Medium Business Venture Corporation.

Additionally, he is charged with conspiring with city council members to send mass text messages that appeared to encourage duplicate voting by general and rights party members during the party primary for the general election, aiming to create favorable public opinion and gain an advantage in the primary.

Furthermore, Lee is accused of making false statements about the circumstances of his elimination in the party primary during the 20th general election on an internet broadcast in January last year, and of falsifying information in the 'Candidate Information Disclosure Record of Criminal History' section of election campaign materials in March last year. The indictment also includes charges of distributing business cards and soliciting support at religious facilities.

Lee's case has drawn increased attention as it has dragged on for over a year, from the search and seizure immediately after the 21st National Assembly election to courtroom battles.

The court had planned to deliver a verdict on February 3 after concluding the trial in January but postponed the decision for a thorough review.

The prosecution criticized Lee as an "encyclopedia of election crimes" and requested a prison sentence of 3 years and 6 months. The three city council members were sentenced to fines ranging from 2 million won to 1 year and 6 months in prison, and election campaign staff received sentences ranging from 10 months to 2 years and 6 months in prison.

If Lee receives a sentence higher than the disqualification penalty (a fine of 1 million won) on this day, he will lose his seat as a lawmaker.