[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] Jang Gi-pyo, director of the Shinmyeong Policy Research Institute, who was prosecuted for spreading false information about the son of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, ahead of the presidential election, was sentenced to a fine in the first trial.
According to the legal community on the 8th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judge Kim Ok-gon) sentenced Director Jang, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act and defamation, to a fine of 7 million won.
Earlier, Director Jang was prosecuted for holding a press conference in September 2021 during the Democratic Party presidential primary and spreading false information about Lee’s son. At that time, he stated, "Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province’s son is working as an employee at Cheonhwa Dongin No. 1," and "The vice president of Gyeonggi Housing Corporation appointed by Lee Jae-myung is a registered director of Hwacheon Daeyu."
Director Jang’s side claimed innocence during the trial, arguing that he was not aware that his statements were false.
The court judged that Director Jang was at least recklessly aware of the falsehood. It also pointed out that the content was sufficient to damage the social reputation of Lee’s son. Regarding the charges of playing so-called 'cursing audio files' containing Lee’s voice through loudspeakers at multiple rallies held in January last year, the court also ruled that this constituted 'illegal election campaigning.'
The court stated, "The defendant conducted pre-election campaigning by using loudspeakers and screening videos in ways not stipulated by the election law, and defamed candidate Lee Jae-myung’s family by publicly spreading false information with the intent to prevent his election."
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