False Information Disclosure Charge
Mr. Park: "I Gave Money to Close Aide, It's Not False"
The prosecution has requested a two-year prison sentence for Park Cheol-min, an operative of the International Mafia faction, who was tried on charges of spreading false information by alleging a ‘gangster involvement theory’ that he handed cash to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, before last year’s presidential election.
On the 10th, the prosecution asked the court to deliver such a sentence in the case of violation of the Public Official Election Act against Park Cheol-min, heard by the Criminal Division 12 of Suwon District Court (Chief Judge Hwang In-seong). Park, a member of the violent organization International Mafia faction, is currently detained on other charges.
Park was indicted on charges of spreading false information that Lee, while serving as mayor of Seongnam in 2021, received about 2 billion won under conditions of granting business favors to associates of the International Mafia faction.
Earlier, lawyer Jang Young-ha relayed to Kim Yong-pan, a member of the People Power Party, the claim based on Park’s words that Lee received money in exchange for granting business favors to associates of the International Mafia faction in October of the same year.
On the 18th of the same month, Representative Kim raised the gangster involvement theory against then-Governor Lee at the Gyeonggi Province audit session. At this event, Kim revealed photos of bundles of cash and handwritten statements from Park, which he had received from lawyer Jang.
Subsequently, controversy arose when it was revealed that the photos were actually promotional images for Park’s rental car and private loan business. It was confirmed that these photos were posted by Park on his Facebook account in November 2018, indicating that he earned money through private loans and rental cars.
The Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint with the prosecution against Park Cheol-min and lawyer Jang Young-ha for violating the Public Official Election Act, accusing them of spreading false information to prevent Lee Jae-myung’s election.
The Public Investigation Division of Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office indicted Park last September on charges of violating the election law, concluding that he knowingly made false statements.
On October 18, 2021, during the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee's audit on Gyeonggi Province held at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office, Kim Yong-pan of the People Power Party publicly presented a fact verification document from Park Cheol-min claiming that Governor Lee Jae-myung has connections with the international mafia group. [Photo by National Assembly TV]
Park denied the prosecution’s allegations. His lawyer explained on the day, “Regarding the claim that the cash photos posted on SNS are fake, this alone does not prove that all facts are false. At that time, the defendant took many photos, and lawyer Jang made a mistake in identifying them. Lawyer Jang provided the materials independently to Representative Kim Yong-pan without communicating with the defendant.”
He also said, “Given that there were circumstances that could raise doubts about the presidential candidate’s suitability, it is difficult to see the defendant’s actions as aimed at Lee’s defeat based solely on the fact that the issue was raised.”
In his final statement, Park said, “The 2 billion won delivered to Lee’s associates around April 2021 was later returned. It is certain that money was handed over to Lee’s associates.” He added, “The key witness to prove the charges, a person related to Lee’s side, did not even appear in court, and it is unreasonable that this person avoids testifying by saying, ‘I am afraid of gangsters.’”
He continued, “I only spoke out for the public’s right to know,” and asked, “I hope the judge makes a wise judgment.”
The sentencing for Park will take place on the 9th of next month.
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