Former and current members of the National Assembly indicted over the 'Democratic Party leadership election money envelope suspicion' all denied the charges at their first trial.
Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jong-sik, who was indicted on charges related to the "Democratic Party Convention Money Envelope Suspicion," is attending the first trial on charges of violating the Political Parties Act held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 15th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
On the 15th, the Seoul Central District Court Criminal Division 27 (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) held the first hearing for independent lawmaker Yoon Kwan-seok and Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jong-sik, who were indicted for violating the Political Parties Act, former lawmaker Lim Jong-sung, and independent lawmaker Lee Sung-man, who was indicted for violating the Political Funds Act, among others.
On this day, the prosecution explained the charges and the facts of the indictment applied to each defendant through an opening statement. In particular, the prosecution cited past Supreme Court plenary session precedents related to the receipt of money and goods in elections, pointing out that when there is an intermediary in the process of delivering money or goods, whether the intermediary is regarded as a mere custodian or messenger (agent) or as a recipient of the money or goods is a matter of judicial discretion. The Supreme Court did not consider giving money to the intermediary as a mere preparatory act of donation but regarded each act as an act of 'providing' election funds.
Following the prosecution's opening statement, the defense attorneys for each defendant denied the charges through their statements.
The defense attorney for lawmaker Yoon stated, “There is no fact that money envelopes were delivered on the dates and places stated in the indictment,” denying the charges. When the prosecution asked, “Are you saying the envelopes were not given at other times and places, or that they were not given at all?” Yoon’s defense replied, “Since the investigation on other matters has not been completed, it is difficult to comment here. Regarding other matters, we refuse to make a statement.”
Also, the defense attorney for lawmaker Lee said, “We admit that money was delivered, but the prosecution’s claim is not true, and he only acted as a messenger,” adding, “There is no fact that money was provided to lawmaker Yoon.” The defense teams for lawmaker Heo and former lawmaker Lim also denied the charges.
Lawmaker Yoon is accused of delivering money envelopes containing 3 million won each to Democratic Party incumbent lawmakers Heo Jong-sik and Lee Sung-man, and former lawmaker Lim Jong-sung in April 2021. The other lawmakers are accused of receiving these envelopes. Lawmaker Lee is also accused of providing 11 million won in off-the-books election funds to the campaign of former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil.
During the trial, the defendants’ consent to the evidence submitted by the prosecution and witness applications were also conducted.
The court plans to conduct witness examination of former Korea Water Resources Corporation Standing Auditor Kang Rae-gu on the 20th of next month.
Meanwhile, Heo Jong-sik, a Democratic Party lawmaker elected to the 22nd National Assembly in the April 10 general election, responded to reporters’ question, “Do you admit to receiving money envelopes?” by saying, “I do not admit it. I believe the court will reveal the truth.” Regarding the possibility of losing his seat depending on the trial outcome, he said, “I do not think so at all.” If Heo is sentenced to imprisonment or higher during his term, he will lose his seat according to current law.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
