Prosecution: "Only an affair," violation of Political Funds Act
Hwangbo lawmaker's side: "Received living expenses as activity funds"
First trial verdict scheduled for August 14
The prosecution has requested a two-year prison sentence for Hwang Bo-seung-hee, a member of the Liberty Unification Party, who was indicted on charges of receiving illegal political funds.
On the 20th, Kim Tae-woo, chief judge of the Criminal Division 5 at the Busan District Court, held a final trial for Hwang, who was indicted for violating the Political Funds Act and the Act on the Prohibition of Receipt of Money and Goods, and A (in his 50s), Hwang’s extramarital partner. The prosecution requested a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 142.7 million won for Hwang, and a one year and six months prison sentence for A.
The prosecution stated, "The defendants violated the Political Funds Act, which was enacted to ensure transparency in political funds and prevent corruption, with the amount involved exceeding 140 million won. In particular, the 50 million won received just before the election was intended to fund the election, which infringes on the fairness of the election, making the offense serious." They also emphasized, "The defendants are in an extramarital relationship that is not legally recognized."
According to the prosecution, Hwang is accused of receiving 50 million won from A between March 2020 and July 2021, during which Hwang was either a preliminary candidate or a member of the National Assembly for the 21st general election. Hwang is also accused of receiving rental benefits worth about 32 million won, including apartment deposit and monthly rent in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and using 60 million won on a credit card provided by A.
In her final statement, Hwang said, "Although A and I started an inappropriate relationship by social standards, we have been living together for six years. Due to A’s personal circumstances, our legal relationship has not yet been formalized, but I intend to spend the rest of my life with A." Regarding the receipt of money and benefits, she claimed, "When I received living expenses in 2019, we were living together, and because there was an economic gap between A and me, and I was unemployed at the time, I could not cover everything myself. Therefore, I received living expenses under the name of activity expenses as the secretary-general of a foundation."
Chief Judge Kim set the sentencing date for Hwang and A as August 14.
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