Second Trial Held for Han Jeong-woo, Former Changnyeong County Governor, and Officials in Book Incident

Prosecution Seeks Fines for Public Official A and Civilian B

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] The second trial related to the 'book incident' involving former Changnyeong County Governor Han Jeong-woo and 14 others, including public officials, was held on the afternoon of the 12th at the Changwon Court Miryang Branch, 2nd Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Cho Hyun-chul).

Han's defense attorney stated, "Governor Han did not distribute the books and is not related to the Political Funds Act," fully denying the prosecution's allegations.

On the other hand, public official A said, "Under the governor's instructions, I received books from another public official and placed three copies each in the document boxes used by village chiefs for the staff. I did not have any phone calls with the village chiefs," adding, "I followed the governor's instructions thinking it was related to election law review, but I did not use my position as a public official for election campaigning."

Court notice for the trial of former Changnyeong County Governor Han Jeong-gu and a public official regarding the book incident.
[Photo by Kim Wook]

Civilian B stated, "At the Mulgyeseowon event, I delivered books along with gifts to 26 external individuals without voting rights in Changnyeong County," and added, "I requested a legal interpretation from the Changnyeong Election Commission in advance and received a response that there was no problem before delivering them."

The prosecution requested fines of 1.5 million won and 1 million won respectively for public official A and civilian B.

The court set a special hearing date on March 9 to summon the remaining defendants and related public officials, totaling 14 people, as witnesses for questioning.