Im Jong-seong Charged with 'Election Law Violation', Loses Parliamentary Seat in First Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Im Jongseong, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gyeonggi Gwangju-si Eul), who was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, was sentenced to a penalty resulting in loss of his parliamentary seat in the first trial.

On the 31st, the Criminal Division 1 of Suwon District Court Seongnam Branch (Presiding Judge Kang Dongwon) sentenced Im, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, to four months in prison with a two-year probation. If the verdict is finalized, Im will lose his parliamentary seat. According to the Public Official Election Act, a confirmed fine of 1 million won or more invalidates the election.

Im Jong-seong, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

The court stated, "Although it is claimed that the indictment was filed due to false defamation by election workers and others, it was found that several related persons initially concealed the criminal facts considering their relationship or status with defendant Im Jongseong, but later felt guilty and told the truth."

Furthermore, "It was judged that paying approximately 460,000 won for a meal attended by eight members of a certain organization after the presidential election, including a prospective candidate for Gwangju mayor from the same party, constituted a prohibited donation act under the election law," the court added.

It was also judged as a third-party bribery act and found guilty that two city council members from the same party’s constituency paid 3.22 million won for meals for youth party members affiliated with their party.

Earlier, Im was sent to trial in September of the same year on charges of instructing party members who participated in election campaigns through city council members of Gyeonggi Gwangju from the same party to provide money and goods ahead of the presidential election in March last year. He is also charged with providing money and goods to election workers.

After the sentencing hearing, Im expressed his intention to appeal, stating, "I will reveal the truth through the appellate trial regarding the charges for which I was found guilty."