[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Song Jong-gu and Choi Soon-kyung] Gu In-mo, the mayor of Geochang County, Gyeongnam, was sentenced to pay a fine of 1.5 million won by the prosecution at his first trial after being indicted without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.
On the 30th, at the first trial held before the 2nd Criminal Division of the Geochang Branch of Changwon District Court, the prosecution requested the court to issue such a sentence.
The prosecution explained the reason for the sentence, stating, "Mayor Gu, as a local public official, was not allowed to conduct election campaigns, but on January 25, ahead of the simultaneous local elections, he posted the results of a joint public opinion poll on the likelihood of winning conducted by four local newspapers in Geochang on Facebook and the Geochang Band news room to influence the election."
In his final statement, Mayor Gu said, "I apologize as a public official responsible for county administration. I ask for leniency so that I can lead the county administration stably."
The sentencing trial for Mayor Gu will be held on December 22 at 11 a.m. in Courtroom No. 1.
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