Prosecutors Seek 1 Million Won Fine for Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Over 1.5 Million Won Donation to Gwangju Restaurant

▲ Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

Prosecutors have requested a fine for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was indicted on charges of making an illegal donation to a restaurant in Gwangju ahead of the 21st presidential election.

During the sentencing hearing held today (the 3rd) by Criminal Division 22 of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Cho Hyung-woo), prosecutors demanded a fine of 1 million won for the former prime minister.

Han is accused of visiting Gwangju in his capacity as acting president on April 15 of last year—shortly after an early presidential election was finalized following the Constitutional Court's decision to dismiss former President Yoon Suk Yeol—and donating 1.5 million won of his own money to a restaurant that supports underprivileged groups.

He declared his bid for the presidency about half a month after making the donation to the restaurant.

The Public Official Election Act prohibits donation acts by anyone intending to become a candidate in an election.

Prosecutors stated, "Whether someone intends to become a candidate refers to a person with that intent, and includes individuals who are objectively recognized as having the intention to run for office based on their status, contacted targets, words, and actions," adding, "A definitive resolution is not required."

They pointed out, "Considering that he began his first livelihood tour in Gwangju, visited the May 18 National Cemetery after declaring his candidacy, and stated that he is also a person from the Honam region, he must be regarded as a person corresponding to a candidate."

They also cited as grounds the fact that at the time of the donation, there were numerous opinions within the ruling bloc advocating for Han to be nominated as a presidential candidate, and that he was mentioned as a candidate in opinion polls, recording high approval ratings.

Han's legal counsel argued, "There is absolutely no evidence that the defendant's intention to run was expressed externally at the time of the incident," and claimed, "It was official duties to address economic pending issues, and the restaurant visit was planned in accordance with the convention of inspecting livelihood sites."

The counsel added, "The delivery of the encouragement money in this case is also an extension of his usual sharing activities," and requested an acquittal, stating, "It was not a special act with the election in mind, but in accordance with the defendant's usual beliefs and designated duties."

In his final statement, Han said, "I judged that my mission was to perform the heavy duty of acting president and overcome the national crisis," adding, "I did not hint at any intention to run to anyone around me and did not make any preparations for an election."

He further noted, "The prosecution's indictment, which retroactively views all past actions as electoral acts simply because I decided to run about two weeks after the incident, does not fit the facts," and asked, "Please examine the matter based on the domestic political situation at the time and the duties of the acting presidency."

Previously, the court noted that the core issues of this case would be whether Han intended to become a candidate and whether the donation fell under customary social rules.

The sentencing hearing will be held on the 1st of next month.

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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