Soojung Lee Faces 5 Million Won Fine for Posting False Claim That President Lee's Two Sons Were Exempted from Military Service

"Deceived by Fake News... Deeply Remorseful"
Sentencing Scheduled for the 5th of Next Month

During the 21st presidential election, Soojung Lee, Chairperson of the Suwon Jeong District of the People Power Party, was put on trial for posting false information on social networking services (SNS) claiming that the two sons of then-presidential candidate Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party of Korea had been exempted from military service. A fine has been requested for Lee.

Soojung Lee, Chairperson of the Suwon Jeong District of the People Power Party

According to Yonhap News on January 13, at the final hearing held at the Suwon District Court’s 13th Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Jang Seokjun) regarding charges of violating the Public Official Election Act (spreading false information and defamation of a candidate) and the Information and Communications Network Act (defamation), the prosecutor requested the court to sentence Lee to a fine of 5 million won.

In the closing argument, the defense lawyer stated, "We are contesting the legal grounds for guilt in this case, but we acknowledge all the basic facts. The defendant had no intention or purpose to harm the candidate by knowingly posting false information. As soon as she realized the information was false, she deleted the post within nine minutes and posted an apology."

The lawyer continued, "Although the same facts have also been prosecuted as defamation, there was no intent to slander. Please consider that the impact on the election was nonexistent or minimal, and that in similar cases, the courts have suspended sentences. We ask that you carefully review whether depriving the defendant of her right to run for office would be excessive."

In her final statement, Lee said, "During the election season, I was invited to multiple chat rooms without my intention and was exposed to a lot of information. That day, I was suddenly flooded with information about the candidate that I had not known before. Normally, I would have checked the facts about the sons’ military service more calmly, but at the time I was on the move and pressed for time all day."

She added, "I deeply regret my foolishness in being so easily deceived by fake news. I sincerely apologize for causing social confusion and unintentionally harming the candidate and his children due to my carelessness, and I am deeply remorseful. I earnestly ask for your understanding and for one last chance to work for the community."

On May 28 of last year, ahead of the presidential election, Lee posted on her Facebook account the false claim that "the candidate and his two sons were all exempted from military service," for which she was reported by the Democratic Party of Korea.

Contrary to Lee’s post, both the eldest and second sons of President Lee Jaemyung had completed their full terms as Air Force sergeants.

When the post became controversial at the time, Lee immediately deleted it. She explained, "I shared information circulating online for about 10 seconds, but upon confirming it was false, I deleted it right away. Please forgive me."

The sentencing hearing for Lee is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on the 5th of next month.