Why the Heavy Sentence? Court Rebukes Intentional Spreading of False Facts

[Anchor]

The prison sentence with probation handed down in this public official election law violation case involving the publication of false facts is an unusually heavy punishment. The first-instance court determined that clear facts were overturned and that the crime was extremely grave because the lies were told intentionally.

Reporter Jang Hun-gyeong has more.

[Reporter]

In January 2022, former President Yoon Suk Yeol made the following remarks regarding Geonjin Beobsa (a figure linked to shamanism controversies) and was subsequently indicted by a special counsel.

[Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (January 2022): It is true that I greeted him, as I was told that this person (Geonjin Beobsa) supported me a lot. (You did not meet him together with your spouse?) No, that is not the case.]

The court pointed out, "The intent of the reporter's question appeared to be whether he had ties to Geonjin Beobsa through Kim Keon-hee, rather than focusing on a specific time or place," adding that this remark would have given general voters the impression that he had never met Geonjin Beobsa together with Kim.

[Cho Sun-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: Considering that the remarks were made as an explanation during a phase where shamanism controversies could affect approval ratings, the defendant's intent to publish false facts is also recognized.]

In addition, 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 current prosecutor, and I was not in a position to be introducing lawyers like that.]

This came after a recording from former President Yoon's 2019 confirmation hearing as Prosecutor General was made public in which he admitted, "I introduced him," leading him to previously acknowledge the fact by stating, "I introduced him, but that lawyer was not retained."

[Cho Sun-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: (During the Prosecutor General confirmation hearing) he testified with the intent to acknowledge the facts. Nevertheless, at the debate held about three months before the presidential election, he made denial statements clearly contradicting this.]

Analyses suggest that former President Yoon's repeated lies and intentional conduct led to the unusual prison sentence.

(Video Editing: Won Hyeong-hee)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.