The Court: "No Sign of Remorse... Original Ruling Is Reasonable"
Kim Dohun, a member of the Chungnam Provincial Council from the People Power Party, received a sentence invalidating his election in the appellate trial as well.
On May 30, the Daejeon High Court's Criminal Division 1 (presiding judge Park Jinhwan) dismissed the appeals of both Councilor Kim and party member A, who were indicted for violating the Public Official Election Act, and upheld the original sentence of a 1.5 million won fine.
The court pointed out, "The defendants are reversing their confessions made during the first trial and are making claims that are difficult to accept, such as 'we did not know.'
The court further explained its decision to dismiss the appeal by stating, "Defendant Kim Dohun claims he was 'merely an advertiser,' and A is defending him, raising doubts as to whether they are genuinely remorseful for their wrongdoing."
Councilor Kim Dohun and A were indicted for producing and illegally posting 100 banners on April 5, 2024, the early voting day for the 22nd National Assembly election, to inform voters that Democratic Party candidate Lee Jaegwan had been reported to authorities.
Meanwhile, if an elected official receives a confirmed sentence of a fine of 1 million won or more for this offense, they will lose their position.
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