[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin, Legal Affairs Specialist] Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party who was sentenced to a fine in the first trial for violating the Public Official Election Act, was acquitted in the second trial.
The Seoul High Court Criminal Division 7 (Presiding Judges Lee Gyu-hong, Jo Gwang-guk, Lee Ji-young) on the 12th, in the appellate trial for Yoon, who was indicted on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act, accepted Yoon’s appeal against the first trial’s verdict of an 800,000 KRW fine and acquitted him.
Previously, the first trial found Yoon guilty of providing a meal worth about 60,000 KRW to journalists and others on May 1, 2020, in relation to election campaigning.
However, the second trial court stated as the reason for acquittal, "Considering the nature of the meal gathering and the process of holding the meeting, the timing was more than ten days after the election ended, and some attendees were unrelated to the election," adding, "It is not easy to conclude that benefits were provided in connection with election campaigning."
It further added, "Expressions of thanks at the meal were routine and ceremonial," and "Having a meal and paying the bill after the election had already ended does not appear to infringe on the freedom of the election."
Yoon was indicted without detention in October of the same year on charges of providing convenience to broker Yoo Sang-bong, who operated a construction site cafeteria (hamba), in exchange for help with election campaigning after running as an independent candidate in the Incheon Dong-gu Michuhol constituency in the April 15, 2020 general election, and for providing a meal worth about 60,000 KRW to journalists and others on May 1, 2020, related to election campaigning.
Yoon was also charged with having Yoo file a false complaint against then-competitor Ahn Sang-soo of the United Future Party (now People Power Party) and having it reported through a certain media outlet.
The first trial had acquitted Yoon of all other charges and only recognized guilt for providing meals worth a total of 60,000 KRW (10,000 KRW per person) related to election campaigning, sentencing him to a fine of 800,000 KRW.
The appellate court found no problem with the first trial court’s acquittal of Yoon’s other charges.
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