Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun Acquitted in First Trial for Election Law Violation

Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Park Hyung-jun, mayor of Busan, who was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, was acquitted in the first trial and will continue to serve as mayor.

The Criminal Division 6 of the Busan District Court (Chief Judge Kim Tae-up) held a sentencing hearing on the morning of the 19th regarding Mayor Park's charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and acquitted him. Mayor Park was unable to attend the trial due to being confirmed positive for COVID-19.

The court stated, "The documents presented by the prosecution are merely internal documents of the National Intelligence Service and are difficult to be regarded as documents delivered to the Blue House," and added, "The testimonies of the prosecution's witnesses also lack evidentiary capability."

Since a sentence of imprisonment or a fine of 1 million won or more is required for disqualification due to violation of the Public Official Election Act, Mayor Park will retain his mayoral position.

In the prosecution's closing arguments last month, they requested a fine of 5 million won for Mayor Park, stating that he "damaged fair elections by providing voters with false information."

During the by-election in April last year, Mayor Park was tried on charges of false statement under the Public Official Election Act after denying a total of 12 times through media interviews and other means that he had ordered the "civilian surveillance directive by the National Intelligence Service regarding the Four Major Rivers Project."