Why the Heavy Sentence? Court Rebukes Intentional Spread of Falsehoods

[Anchor]

It is widely considered unusual for a suspended prison sentence to be handed down under the Public Official Election Act for charges of publishing false information. The court determined that former President Yoon Suk Yeol lied intentionally, concluding that the nature of his offenses was severe.

Reporter Jang Hun-gyeong has the details.

[Reporter]

In January 2022, former President Yoon Suk Yeol made the following remarks regarding Geonjin Beobsa (a shamanic figure), which led to his indictment by a special counsel.

[Yoon Suk Yeol / Former President (January 2022): I have greeted him after hearing that he (Geonjin Beobsa) offered a lot of support. (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 was not about a specific time or place, but whether he had a personal connection to Geonjin Beobsa through Kim Keon-hee. The court noted that this remark would have given general voters the impression that he had never met Geonjin Beobsa alongside 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 when controversies over shamanism could impact approval ratings, the defendant's intent to publish false information is also recognized.]

In addition, the court found intent in remarks made during a debate in December 2021—three months prior to the presidential election—denying that he had 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 to be introducing lawyers like that.]

This conclusion was reached because a recording from Yoon's 2019 confirmation hearing as Prosecutor General showed him admitting, "I introduced them." Although he later acknowledged the fact by claiming, "I introduced them, but that lawyer was not retained,"

[Cho Sun-pyo / Presiding Judge, Criminal Settlement Division 21, Seoul Central District Court: (At the Prosecutor General confirmation hearing) he testified with the intent of acknowledging the fact. Nevertheless, during the debate held some three months before the presidential election, he made denial statements clearly contradicting this.]

Analyses suggest that former President Yoon's repeated falsehoods and intent led to the unusual prison sentence.

(Video Editing: Won Hyeong-hee)