[Anchor]

Lee Hwa-young, former Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province who is currently serving a prison sentence over the Ssangbangwool illegal North Korea remittance case, has seen his legal team demand parole from President Lee Jae-myung. His attorney pointed out that Lee Hwa-young has been thoroughly abandoned, openly expressing discontent toward President Lee Jae-myung.

Here is a report by reporter Shin Yong-il.

[Reporter]

Lee Hwa-young, former Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, was sentenced to 7 years and 8 months in prison in June of last year over charges including bribery related to the Ssangbangwool North Korea remittance case.

Previously, the former vice governor was detained in September 2022 on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act regarding the use of Ssangbangwool corporate cards, and has been imprisoned for over four years.

However, attorney Kim Kwang-min, who represents the former vice governor, stated in an interview with a media outlet today (the 6th) that Lee Hwa-young "is very angry at President Lee Jae-myung" and "feels bitter about being neglected for years."

He also stated, "We have requested parole for the former vice governor to President Lee's side through various channels, but it has not been accepted," and claimed, "Figures like former Democratic Party Chief Coordinator for Political Affairs Jung Jin-sang and former Democracy Institute Deputy Director Kim Yong, who are part of the Daejang-dong group, have been released, yet only the former vice governor remains incarcerated."

When asked if there is a plan in case parole does not materialize, attorney Kim avoided making specific remarks.

Later, addressing criticisms that his interview remarks were excessive, attorney Kim posted on his social media, "It is cruel that after concluding that the North Korea remittance case was fabricated, they are thoroughly abandoning a man who has been imprisoned for five years."

As calls arise, centering around the ruling bloc, for the need to cancel the indictment of President Lee regarding the North Korea remittance case, observations suggest that the former vice governor's side publicly voicing discontent could create a significant political fallout.

In response, an official from the Cheong Wa Dae told SBS, "Figures such as former Chief Coordinator Jung were released through legal procedures," and explained regarding the former vice governor that "discussions on a year-end special pardon are not taking place, and parole falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice."

(Camera Reporter: Yang Hyun-cheol | Video Editor: Park Choon-bae | Designer: Han Heung-soo)