First Trial for Election Law Violation of Kim Bu-young, Changnyeong County Governor, and Others

Prosecutors: "Provided 130 million KRW in collusion with Mr. A and Governor Kim"

Court: "Will proceed with swift trial as it is a public election case"

The 2nd Criminal Division of the Miryang Branch of Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam held the first trial for Kim Bu-young, the mayor of Changnyeong County, and six others, who were indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] On the 22nd at 1 p.m., the 2nd Criminal Division of the Miryang Branch of Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam (Presiding Judge Maeng Jun-young) held the first trial for seven people, including Kim Bu-young, the mayor of Changnyeong County, who were indicted for buying votes ahead of the nationwide simultaneous local elections last June.

On this day, Mayor Kim did not attend due to a visit to Japan, and only four detained defendants and two non-detained defendants were present.

Presiding Judge Maeng Jun-young expressed displeasure over Mayor Kim's absence, stating, "Although the defendant's absence is possible on the first hearing date, since this is an election case requiring prompt proceedings, if he does not appear in court, a summons, court-designated warrant, or arrest warrant can be issued," indirectly revealing his displeasure over Mayor Kim's absence, drawing attention.

The prosecution stated in the indictment, "Detained A conspired with candidate Kim Bu-young to get him elected and provided 130 million won in three installments on May 4 and June 8, 2022, to three people including detained B, who was recommended as the sole Democratic Party candidate, at the temple of detained monk Kim and the open ground in Sa-ri, Gyesong-myeon." It was also alleged that Mayor Kim provided 1 million won as a meal expense in October 2020 and asked for support.

The 1 million won meal expense by Mayor Kim was related to an incident where about 28 residents were served pine mushroom chicken soup at a container owned by non-detained defendant C in Daehap-myeon, Changnyeong County.

The defense attorneys for Mayor Kim and the four detained defendants denied the prosecution's charges, while only D, who received 1 million won from Mayor Kim and delivered it to C (non-detained), admitted to the charges. The next trial will be held on January 11 next year at the same courtroom in the afternoon.

Additionally, the book case involving former Mayor Han Jeong-woo was held at 3:30 p.m. on the same day in the same courtroom.