Prosecution Seeks 4 Years and 6 Months Imprisonment in Second Trial for Former Lawmaker Ha Young-je on Charges of Receiving Political Funds

The prosecution requested a sentence of 4 years and 6 months in prison for former National Assembly member Ha Young-je, who was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial on charges of receiving illegal political funds.

The Criminal Division 1 of Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam (Chief Judge Lee Joo-yeon) held the final hearing for the appeal case on the 31st of last month, during which final statements were made.

According to the prosecution, former Assemblyman Ha was indicted on charges of receiving a total of 167.5 million KRW from local government heads and provincial council members in the province from March 2020 to June last year, under the pretexts of election expenses for the National Assembly, operating expenses for regional offices, and recommending provincial council candidates.

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Young-je is heading to the Changwon District Court in Gyeongnam for a warrant hearing.
[Photo by Lee Se-ryeong]

The first trial court sentenced former Assemblyman Ha to 1 year and 6 months in prison and ordered his detention in court.

The court also ordered the confiscation of 163.5 million KRW in fines and 2 million KRW in cash discovered during the investigation.

Former Sacheon Mayor Song Do-geun, former Gyeongnam Provincial Council member Lee Jeong-hoon, and former aide A of Assemblyman Ha’s office, who were tried on charges of giving money to Ha, were each fined 10 million KRW.

After the first trial verdict, the prosecution appealed citing factual errors, legal misinterpretations, and inappropriate sentencing, while former Assemblyman Ha appealed on the grounds of inappropriate sentencing.

In the appeal trial, the prosecution requested the court to sentence Ha to 4 years and 6 months in prison along with a fine of 165.5 million KRW.

The prosecution stated the reason for the request, saying, “Ha’s crime is a serious offense that promotes corruption in democratic elections itself,” and “He denied the crime during the trial process, and it is questionable whether he is sincerely remorseful.”

In his final statement, former Assemblyman Ha said, “I am sorry, please show leniency.”

The court also conducted a hearing on Ha’s bail application that day.

Ha’s defense argued, “Former Assemblyman Ha appears to have been diagnosed with cancer and is in a serious mental state including depression,” and “Please grant bail considering his advanced age even if he is re-arrested after an accurate health diagnosis.”

The court decided to determine whether to grant bail soon.

The appeal verdict is scheduled for 2 p.m. on January 14 next year.