'Fruit Box Delivery' Ryu Kyung-gi, Jungnang-gu Mayor, Sentenced to 700,000 Won Fine in First Trial

District Chief Ryu Avoids Disqualification
Court: "No Significant Impact on Election"

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] Ryu Kyung-gi, mayor of Jungnang-gu, who was tried on charges of delivering fruit to residents ahead of the local elections, avoided disqualification after being sentenced to a fine of 700,000 won in the first trial.

On the 10th, Ko Choong-jung, presiding judge of the 11th Criminal Division at the Seoul Northern District Court, sentenced Mayor Ryu, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, to a fine of 700,000 won. Mayor Ryu will retain his position if the first trial verdict is finalized. Elected officials are disqualified if a fine of 1 million won or more is confirmed for violating the Public Official Election Act.

The court explained, "There is no reason to accept Mayor Ryu's claim that the cost of purchasing fruit was lawfully executed through proper procedures of the local government and that the fruit was provided at a dinner gathering as a token of appreciation to share with attendees," but added, "Considering that it did not significantly affect the election and that there is no prior record of similar offenses, the sentencing conditions were taken into account in determining the punishment."

Mayor Ryu is accused of delivering a fruit box and soliciting support when visiting his home in April at the request of a volunteer from the election campaign who is a resident of the district. Additionally, the police judged that Mayor Ryu’s holding of a press conference with a portable loudspeaker in front of Jungnang-gu Office before the official election campaign period (May 19-31 of last year) also violated the Public Official Election Act and sent the case to prosecution in October last year. However, the prosecution ruled no charges due to insufficient evidence regarding the press conference held before the official campaign period.

After the trial, Mayor Ryu stated, "I have nothing to say at this time," and added, "I will decide on whether to appeal after consulting with the legal team."

Meanwhile, results related to trials for violations of the Public Official Election Act continue to emerge. The prosecution has launched investigations into over 800 individuals, including 51 elected officials, on charges of election law violations. The statute of limitations for the Public Official Election Act related to the local elections held on June 1 last year expires on December 1 of last year.