Court fines former South Jeolla Provincial Assembly speaker 900,000 won ($596) for violating the Public Official Election Act
The first criminal division of the Suncheon Branch of the Gwangju District Court, presided over by Judge Kim Yong-gyu, on Thursday sentenced Seo Dong-wook, former speaker of the South Jeolla Provincial Assembly, to a fine of 900,000 won ($596) on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act by including false information in a legislative activity report. Seo had been indicted without detention.
Seo, who had been preparing to run for Suncheon mayor, was indicted on charges of distributing to more than 2,000 households a legislative activity report dated Sept. 26 last year stating that the establishment of a medical school at Suncheon National University had been confirmed — a claim that had not been finalized.
Three days later, he also posted the report on his social media accounts, further publicizing the unconfirmed claim.
Seo had registered as a preliminary candidate in this year's June 3 local elections and participated in a unification poll among three Suncheon High School alumni ahead of the party primary, but withdrew from the race after finishing behind candidate Son Hun-mo.
The court noted in mitigation that residents following local issues would have recognized the claim as inaccurate and that the report had been recalled. It added that the report appeared to have had limited impact on the primary and other proceedings.
Under the Public Official Election Act, anyone fined 1 million won or more for an election law violation is barred from standing for office for five years. Because the fine fell below that threshold, Seo remains eligible to run in future elections.
parkds@heraldcorp.com
