[Anchor]
In the appeals trial of former President Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, the independent counsel has urged the court to uphold the same sentence requested in the first trial that would nullify his election. If the sentence is finalized, the People Power Party will be required to return the 39.7 billion won it received as election expense reimbursements during the 20th presidential election to the state treasury.
Here is a report by Reporter Jang Hun-gyeong.
[Reporter]
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol is accused of making false statements on two occasions during his candidacy for the 20th presidential election representing the People Power Party.
The charges involve his remark at the Kwanhun Club debate in December 2021 denying that he had introduced a lawyer to Yoon Woo-jin, former head of the Yongsan Tax Office, and...
[Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (December 2021 Kwanhun Club Debate): My younger brother is also a current prosecutor, and I was not in a position to bother introducing a lawyer.]
Another remark is his denial of having met Jeon Sung-bae, known as the shaman Geonjinbeopsa, together with Keonhee.
[Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (January 2022 Buddhist Leaders Forum): I have greeted him because people said he was cheering me on a lot. (You didn't meet him together with your spouse?) No, that is not the case.]
During the sentencing hearing for former President Yoon's appeal held at the Seoul High Court today (the 13th), the independent counsel requested the same sentence as in the first trial: 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year probation.
The independent counsel pointed out that "the various suspicions subsided after the remarks, and considering the margin between the approval ratings and vote shares at the time, this crime affected the election outcome," adding that "nevertheless, former President Yoon continues to change his story and deceive the public and the court."
In contrast, former President Yoon maintained his innocence, citing courtroom testimony from former Prosecutor Yoon Dae-jin, the younger brother of Yoon Woo-jin, who stated, "I introduced the lawyer to my older brother."
In his closing statement, former President Yoon denied the charges themselves, asking, "Would someone testify falsely at length in a courtroom for someone like me who has lost power and is a nobody?"
Regarding Geonjinbeopsa, he also emphasized that his statement did not mean he "never once met him with his spouse," but rather that he meant they "had never met together at a New Year's greeting gathering."
Under the Public Official Election Act, if a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized, the election is nullified. If the sentence is upheld, the People Power Party must return the 39.7 billion won in election expenses it was reimbursed during the presidential election.
The appeals ruling is scheduled to be delivered on the 27th.
(Video Editing: Kim Jong-tae)
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