Supreme Court Confirms Fine for Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon for Election Law Violation... Retains Position

Guilty Verdict on Charges Related to 1st and 2nd Trial Agreement Ceremony
Fine of 900,000 Won Imposed...Upheld by Supreme Court

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Oh Young-hoon, Governor of Jeju Province, who was sentenced to a fine of 900,000 won in the second trial for violating the Public Official Election Act, avoided disqualification from office despite some charges being upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court's First Division (Presiding Justice Shin Sook-hee) announced on the 12th that it had finalized the 900,000 won fine imposed on Governor Oh, who was indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act.

The Supreme Court stated, "Both the prosecutor's and defendants' appeals are dismissed, thereby affirming the lower court's ruling that recognized some of the charges against the defendants as guilty."

Governor Oh was indicted for conducting pre-election campaigning by holding a signing ceremony at his campaign office on May 16, 2022, before the official campaign period of the 8th nationwide simultaneous local elections, with participation from corporate officials, and having it reported in the media. The prosecution judged that this signing ceremony was an event to promote Governor Oh's pledge to "create 20 listed companies in the Jeju region."

Additionally, the representative of a nonprofit organization paid 5 million won to a consulting firm for the costs related to this signing ceremony, which was considered a violation of the Political Funds Act concerning Governor Oh. He was also charged with illegal primary election campaigning by orchestrating declarations of support from various occupational and organizational groups within the province to form favorable public opinion during the Jeju governor candidate primary process.

The first and second trials recognized guilt only regarding the charges related to the signing ceremony and sentenced him to a fine of 900,000 won.

The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's ruling, stating, "There is no error affecting the judgment such as failure to conduct necessary hearings for the guilty findings, violation of the rules of logic and experience, exceeding the limits of free evaluation of evidence, or misinterpretation of the legal principles concerning violations of the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act."

Despite some charges being upheld by the Supreme Court, Governor Oh retained his office. Article 264 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that if a person is sentenced to imprisonment or a fine of 1 million won or more, their election shall be invalidated. Although some charges were confirmed, Governor Oh was fined 900,000 won and thus did not lose his position.