Former Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jeong-geun, who is serving a prison sentence on charges of receiving illegal funds, was given a suspended sentence in a separate case of violation of the Public Official Election Act.
According to the legal community on the 19th, the Supreme Court’s 1st Division (Chief Justice Seo Kyung-hwan) confirmed the original verdict of 6 months in prison, 1 year of probation, and a fine of 2 million won for Mr. Lee, who was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and Political Funds Act, on the 27th of last month.
Former Deputy Secretary-General Lee Jeong-geun.
The Supreme Court stated that “there was no error in the original judgment misunderstanding the legal principles regarding the establishment of the crimes of violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act.”
Lee was brought to trial on charges of paying a total of 8.04 million won to seven campaign workers in charge of telephone campaigns in the 2022 March 9 by-elections for the Democratic Party of Korea’s Seocho-gap district in Seoul. Payments of money or goods related to election campaigns are prohibited under the Public Official Election Act.
Lee had the accountant at the election office pay this money on his behalf, and because of this, he was also charged with receiving political funds from the accountant (violation of the Political Funds Act).
In addition, he was accused of receiving millions of won from prospective candidates in connection with their nominations during the June 1 local elections held in the same year.
The first and second trial courts found Lee guilty of all charges. Lee appealed, but the Supreme Court ruled the same.
Mr. Lee is currently serving a sentence of 4 years and 2 months in prison, which was confirmed by the Supreme Court in December of last year, on charges of receiving 1 billion won in bribes from businessman Mr. Park in exchange for various favors, such as public institution personnel matters, and election expenses for the 21st general election.
A large number of recording files secured from Lee’s cell phone led to the investigation into the Democratic Party convention envelope scandal.
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