Lee Hyung-seop, People Power Party District Chairman, Says Hong Moon-jong Tries to Exert Influence Behind the Scenes Ahead of Second Trial

"Despite being a member of another party, intervened in People Power Party nominations to allow close aides to be nominated"
"Surprising that a criminal defendant went on an overseas trip with a current lawmaker"

Lee Hyung-seop, Chairman of the People Power Party Uijeongbu City (Eul) Constituency Committee [People Power Party Uijeongbu City Eul]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Lee Hyung-seop, the People Power Party’s Uijeongbu City (Eul) district committee chairman, condemned former National Assembly member Hong Moon-jong (current leader of the Pro-Park Shin Party), who was sentenced to four years in prison in the first trial for embezzling tens of billions of won from his school foundation’s funds and receiving bribes from private companies, saying, "Reflect on old-fashioned politics and humbly await the second trial verdict."

On the 8th, Lee issued a statement saying, "It is rare for an ordinary citizen to be sentenced to prison in the first trial and yet not be detained in court," adding, "The court’s decision not to detain former lawmaker Hong was likely made considering his contributions to the nation and society as a four-term lawmaker, but Hong responded by taking overseas trips that may violate current laws, as if deceiving this opportunity."

He continued, "In the past week, some incumbent lawmakers and aides from the region who follow former lawmaker Hong have traveled abroad. It is surprising that a criminal defendant, sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial and awaiting the second trial verdict, could leisurely travel overseas. It also raises suspicion about which party the incumbent politicians accompanying Hong belong to."

He particularly pointed out, "It is an open secret that despite being a member of another party during the recent local elections, Hong interfered in the People Power Party’s local election nomination process to have his aides nominated, which goes against the relevant district committee and public opinion," and raised suspicions, "There are rumors that although he plans to rejoin the People Power Party and run in future local elections, he is currently trying to exert various influences behind the scenes."

He added, "Hong was a four-term senior lawmaker who passed through the Grand National Party, Saenuri Party, and Liberty Korea Party. I hope he reflects on whether he has shown responsibility and leadership as a four-term senior lawmaker," and said, "I hope old-fashioned politics, which deviates from the general common sense of citizens, disappears, and that politicians who openly support and follow such politics also reflect on themselves."

Earlier, in the first trial, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced former lawmaker Hong to four years in prison but did not detain him in court, stating there was no risk of flight.

Hong is accused of embezzling about 7.5 billion won by spending school funds under the pretext of purchasing calligraphy and paintings and then reclaiming the money while serving as chairman and president of Kyungmin Academy from 2012 to 2013, during his tenure as a 16th National Assembly member affiliated with the Grand National Party.

He is also accused of receiving bribes worth about 82 million won from two IT company officials between 2013 and 2015 and receiving expensive herbal medicine called Gongjindan as a reward for legislative favors. The first trial court found most of Hong’s charges guilty and sentenced him to four years in prison.

The second trial verdict (Seoul High Court, 3rd Criminal Division) for former lawmaker Hong is scheduled to be announced on the 11th.