Prosecutors Seek Guilty Verdict for Geoje Mayor Park Jongwoo in Appeal After Requesting Acquittal in First Trial

The prosecution, which had requested a blank sentence in the first trial regarding the violation of the Public Official Election Act by Park Jongwoo, mayor of Geoje City, Gyeongnam, demanded a guilty verdict in the appeal trial.

The Criminal Division 2 of the Changwon Branch of the Busan High Court held a final hearing on the 28th afternoon for Mayor Park, who was brought to trial on charges of violating the election law.

Mayor Park was put on trial on charges of providing 13 million won on three occasions to staff member B from the office of National Assembly member Seo Iljun and others through publicity team member A, in exchange for recruiting party membership applications, providing party member lists, and promoting on social networking services (SNS) ahead of the 2022 nationwide local elections.

He appealed after being sentenced to six months in prison with a two-year suspended sentence in the first trial last November, citing factual errors and misinterpretation of the law.

At the time, in the final hearing of the first trial, the prosecution did not request a specific sentence and left it to the court’s discretion, but in the appeal trial, they requested a guilty verdict.

The prosecutor stated, “Considering the evidence comprehensively, there is no reason for the defendant’s appeal. Please dismiss the defendant’s appeal and uphold the original sentence that would result in the loss of his elected office.”

If an elected official is confirmed guilty of violating the Public Official Election Act and is sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more, they will lose their position.

Park Jongwoo, mayor of Geoje City, Gyeongnam, is heading to the courtroom building of the Changwon branch of the Busan High Court to attend the appellate trial sentencing hearing related to allegations of violating election laws.
[Photo by Lee Seryoung]

Mayor Park’s defense attorney delivered a final argument lasting about 30 minutes through a PowerPoint presentation (PPT).

The attorney argued, “The consistent testimony that A, not Mayor Park, gave money to B, the difficulty in assigning credibility to the recorded conversation between B’s father and A, the inconsistency in B’s statements regarding the office safe’s location and where the money was taken from, all indicate factual errors in the first trial verdict.”

He continued, “It is possible that the testimonies of those involved in the case were false statements made with political intent to bring down Mayor Park,” and requested the overturning of the original verdict and a not-guilty ruling.

In his final statement, Mayor Park said, “I apologize to the citizens of Geoje for ending up here due to my shortcomings,” and added, “Please thoroughly review the investigation records and materials to uncover the truth of the case.”

He further stated, “I trust that the court will reveal the whole truth and heal the citizens of Geoje who have been hurt and humiliated by my trial. I would be very grateful if I am given the opportunity to serve the citizens for the remainder of my term.”

The sentencing hearing for Mayor Park’s appeal on the election law violation charges is scheduled to be held at 1:50 p.m. on the 28th in the same courtroom.