Ex-President's False Statement Ruling Puts Ruling Party at Risk of Returning 39.7 Billion Won

[Anchor]

There is a growing likelihood that the People Power Party will have to return the 39.7 billion won it received and was refunded after winning the 2022 presidential election. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was put on trial for making false statements during his presidential campaign, received a suspended prison sentence in the first trial. If a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized, the party must return the entire amount.

Our first report today, on July 28, comes from reporter Shin Yong-il.

[Reporter]

[Verdict: The defendant is sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison. However, execution of this sentence is suspended for 3 years from the date this judgment becomes final.]

The Seoul Central District Court sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was indicted on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act for making false statements during the 20th presidential election campaign, to 1 year and 6 months in prison with a 3-year suspension.

The first-instance court ruled that both controversial statements were guilty.

First, regarding an interview in January 2022 where he stated to the effect that "I was introduced to Jeon Sung-bae, known as the shaman Geonjin, by a party official, and I have never met him together with Kim Keon-hee," the court judged this to be the "publication of false facts."

The court stated that he intentionally concealed his long-standing relationship with Jeon Sung-bae, which had continued prior to the election.

[Cho Soon-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: The relationship with a person who has maintained a close personal connection since around 2013 and repeatedly received advice regarding his personal and political standing was made to look as if they were accidentally introduced during the election process.]

In addition, the court concluded that a statement made during a debate in December 2021 to the effect that "I never introduced a lawyer from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office Central Investigation Department to former Yongsan Tax Office Chief Yoon Woo-jin" was also false.

[Cho Soon-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: It is reasonable to view that (Yoon Suk Yeol) introduced Yoon Woo-jin by having someone contact Yoon Woo-jin using his own name.]

The court rebuked that these false statements made during the election process infringed upon the public's sound decision-making.

[Cho Soon-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: (Particularly regarding the shamanism controversy) it was the publication of false facts regarding a matter in which voters had extremely high interest, and its culpability is very heavy.]

If the ruling is finalized, the People Power Party must return a total of 39.7 billion won, including election expenses from the 20th presidential election.

During the judge's sentencing, former President Yoon sat down and conversed with his legal counsel.

Following this, former President Yoon's side immediately appealed, stating that there were many errors in the court's judgment, while the special counsel team expressed gratitude for the court's hard work.

(Camera: Yang Hyun-chul | Video Editing: Kim Yoon-sung | Design: Hwang Se-yeon)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.