1 year and 6 months in prison, 3 million won fine, and more
On December 15, prosecutors requested the nullification of the election of Ando Geol, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Gwangju Dongnam-eul, who was brought to trial on charges including operating an illegal phone promotion center ahead of last year's general election.
During the final hearing of the case, held at the Gwangju District Court's Criminal Division 12 (presided over by Chief Judge Park Jaeseong), prosecutors requested a sentence of one year and six months in prison, a fine of 3 million won, and the forfeiture of 43.02 million won for Assemblyman An, who is charged with violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act. If a member of the National Assembly is convicted of violating either the Public Official Election Act or the Political Funds Act and receives a fine of 1 million won or more, their election is nullified.
Assemblyman An was indicted on charges of setting up an illegal phone promotion center in a location in Hwasun County, South Jeolla Province, from December 2023 to February last year, during the Democratic Party primary for the April 10 general election, and sending a total of 51,346 text messages soliciting support. He is also accused of paying a total of 25.54 million won to 10 individuals responsible for sending the text messages and other tasks, and of receiving 43.02 million won from a corporation operated by his cousin, under the pretext of operating expenses for the "Ando Geol Economic Research Institute." The indictment also includes allegations that Assemblyman An received personal information, such as the contact details of 431 residents of the electoral district, from an online seller.
In the final defense, Assemblyman An's side argued, "The defendant was not involved in sending text messages, hiring staff, or providing money. The charges are based solely on speculation drawn from the contents of a KakaoTalk group chat," insisting on his innocence.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for the 30th of next month.
For Mr. A, who was indicted alongside Assemblyman An on charges including involvement in the operation of the illegal phone promotion center, prosecutors requested a sentence of two years in prison. For the remaining 10 defendants, prosecutors requested either one year in prison or fines ranging from 3 million to 7 million won each.
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