[Anchor]
The prison sentence with probation handed down is an unusually heavy penalty for a violation of the Public Official Election Act regarding the dissemination of false information. The first-instance court concluded that the nature of the crime was extremely grave, noting that clear facts were overturned and the lies were intentional.
Reporting next is Jang Hun-gyeong.
[Reporter]
In January 2022, former President Yoon Suk Yeol was indicted by a special counsel after making the following remarks regarding the shaman known as Geonjin-beopsa.
[Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (January 2022): I have greeted him after hearing that he (Geonjin-beopsa) has been very supportive. (You didn't meet him together with your spouse?) No, that is not the case.]
The court pointed out that the intent of the reporter's question appeared to be whether he had a close relationship with Geonjin-beopsa through Kim Keon-hee, rather than asking about a specific time or place. The court noted that this remark would have given general voters the impression that he had never met Geonjin-beopsa alongside Kim.
The controversy over shamanism is directly linked to the informal influence on a candidate's governance and can significantly impact voters' judgments. The court judged that the remarks were of a serious criminal nature because the falsehoods were spoken intentionally.
[Cho Soon-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: Considering that the remarks were made as an explanation during a phase where the shamanism controversy could affect approval ratings, the defendant's intent to publicize false information is also recognized.]
Furthermore, the court found intent in remarks made during a debate in December 2021—three months ahead of the presidential election—stating that he had never introduced a lawyer to former Yongsan Tax Office Chief Yoon Woo-jin.
[Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (December 2021): My younger brother is also a serving prosecutor, and I was not in a position where I particularly needed to introduce a lawyer like that.]
This came after a recording from former President Yoon's 2019 Prosecutor General confirmation hearing was made public in which he stated, "I introduced him," leading him to previously admit to the fact by saying, "I introduced him, but that lawyer was not retained."
The court repeatedly reprimanded him, stating, "The nature of the crime is not light, as he overturned his previous statements that he had himself acknowledged and disseminated false information."
[Cho Soon-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: (At the Prosecutor General confirmation hearing) he testified to the effect of admitting the truth. Nevertheless, at the debate held about three months prior to the presidential election, he made a denial statement that clearly contradicted this.]
Analyses suggest that former President Yoon's repeated lies and intent led to the unusual prison sentence.
(Video by Won Hyeong-hee)
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