‘Violation of Public Official Election Act’ Lee Sang-jik, 1st Trial: 1 Year 4 Months Prison with 2 Years Probation... Risk of Losing Parliamentary Seat

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] Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-jik (Jeonbuk Jeonju-eul, detained), who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, is at risk of losing his seat in the first trial.

The 11th Criminal Division of Jeonju District Court (Chief Judge Kang Dong-won) sentenced Lee to 1 year and 4 months in prison with a 2-year probation at the sentencing hearing held at 10 a.m. on the 16th. This sentence is heavier than the disqualification penalty (a fine of 1 million won). If this sentence is finalized, Lee will have to relinquish his seat.

Lee was charged with five offenses 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 three times from January to September 2019 while serving as the President of the Small and Medium Business Venture Promotion Corporation.

Additionally, he is accused of conspiring with city council members to send a large number of text messages that appeared to encourage duplicate voting by general and rights party members during the party primary for the general election, thereby creating favorable public opinion for himself and gaining an advantage in the primary.

Furthermore, Lee is charged with 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 with entering false information in the "Candidate Information Disclosure Record of Criminal History" section of the election pamphlet in March last year. The indictment also includes charges of distributing business cards and soliciting support at religious facilities.

Lee’s case has dragged on for over a year, from the search and seizure immediately after the 21st National Assembly election to the courtroom battle. The court completed the trial in January and planned to deliver the verdict on February 3, but continued the trial for thorough examination.

The prosecution criticized Lee as an "encyclopedia of election crimes" and requested a sentence of 3 years and 6 months in prison.