Park Jongwoo, the mayor of Geoje City in Gyeongnam, who was convicted of violating the Public Official Election Act and received a sentence that would nullify his election even in the appellate court, immediately announced his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, the 2nd Criminal Division of the Changwon Panel of the Busan High Court held a sentencing hearing for Mayor Park and sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for two years.
According to the court, Mayor Park was indicted on charges of providing 13 million won on three occasions to B, an employee of National Assembly member Seo Iljun's office, through promotion team member A, in exchange for recruiting party membership applications, providing party member lists, and promoting on social networking services (SNS) between July and September 2021, ahead of the 2022 nationwide local elections.
Subsequently, at the first trial last November, Park was found guilty of providing 3 million won out of the 13 million won for SNS promotions and other activities, and was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.
Under the Public Official Election Act, an elected public official loses their position if a sentence of 1 million won or more in fines is confirmed.
Park Jongwoo, mayor of Geoje City, Gyeongnam Province, meets with reporters immediately after the appellate court ruling and expresses his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court. [Photo by Lee Seryeong]
Mayor Park maintained his innocence and appealed, citing factual errors and misinterpretation of the law.
Park's legal team argued that the testimony was consistent that A, not Park, handed the money to B, and that B's statements about where the money came from were inconsistent.
They also suggested the possibility that the false testimony was politically motivated to bring about Park's downfall.
The appellate court stated, "The testimonies of A and B regarding the exchange of money are consistent, and although B's statements about the location where the money was withdrawn were unclear, this is not enough to undermine credibility," thus rejecting Park's arguments.
The court also said, "Since B would have to admit to having received money if he exposed the provision of funds, it is unlikely that he had a political motive to make a false accusation."
However, the court found, "Only 2 million won out of the 3 million won in question was proven as a crime."
The court stated, "Elections are the process of selecting representatives of the people in a democratic country," and added, "The Public Official Election Act strictly regulates the provision of money and valuables related to election campaigns to prevent disorder and overheating in elections and to prevent unfair elections due to differences in candidates' financial power."
"Nevertheless, Mayor Park provided money to be selected as a candidate in the party primary, thereby undermining the purpose of fair elections and the legislative intent of democracy, and was ultimately elected mayor," the court explained regarding the sentencing.
Immediately after leaving the courtroom, Mayor Park said, "I cannot understand the court's decision," and expressed his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court.
He added, "There was no act of giving money at all, so I cannot accept the court's judgment," and stated, "I will do my best to be found not guilty at the Supreme Court."
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