Ahead of the 2021 Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) party convention, DPK lawmakers Heo Jong-sik, Yoon Kwan-seok, and former lawmaker Lee Sung-man, who were indicted on charges of exchanging money envelopes, were sentenced to suspended prison terms in the first trial. This is the first time that current and former lawmakers involved in this incident have been found guilty.
On the afternoon of the 30th, Heo Jong-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who was indicted in 2021 for the 'Democratic Party of Korea Party Convention Money Envelope Suspicion,' attended the first trial sentencing hearing held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul. 2024.8.30ondol@yna.co.kr
(End) [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 30th, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Woo In-seong) sentenced DPK lawmaker Heo Jong-sik, who was indicted for violating the Political Parties Act, to three months in prison with a one-year suspension and a fine of 3 million won. If a sitting lawmaker like Heo is sentenced to prison during their term, they will lose their seat.
Former lawmaker Yoon, charged with violating the Political Parties Act, was sentenced to nine months in prison with a two-year suspension.
Former lawmaker Lee Sung-man, charged with violating the Political Funds Act and other offenses, was sentenced to nine months in prison with a two-year suspension and a fine of 3 million won. For providing off-the-books election funds to campaign workers, he received a six-month prison sentence with a two-year suspension, and for accepting cash in violation of the Political Parties Act, he was sentenced to three months in prison with a two-year suspension and a fine of 3 million won.
Former lawmaker Lim Jong-sung, who was originally scheduled to be sentenced together on the same day, was absent from the trial due to illness. His sentencing was postponed to the 6th of next month.
They were indicted on charges of exchanging money envelopes containing 3 million won each at a meeting of lawmakers supporting former party leader Song Young-gil, held on April 28, 2021, in the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee's small conference room in the National Assembly main building. Former lawmaker Lee is also accused of giving a total of 11 million won in two installments around March 2021 to campaign workers, including former leader Song.
Regarding this, former lawmaker Yoon was separately indicted on charges of receiving 60 million won from campaign workers as the source of the money envelopes and was sentenced to two years in prison in the second trial and has appealed.
Immediately after the sentencing, lawmaker Heo told reporters at the court that he would appeal immediately. He said, "I have never seen or heard of the money envelopes," and added, "Of course, I have no choice but to appeal. Is the court acting as the prosecutor's spokesperson?"
Former lawmaker Lee also stated, "I will do my best to realize justice through an appeal."
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