Lee Jeong-geun Receives Higher Than Expected Sentence of 4 Years and 6 Months in Prison with a Fine of 1 Billion Won [Comprehensive Coverage]

The first trial court sentenced Lee Jung-geun (61), former vice secretary-general of the Democratic Party of Korea, to 4 years and 6 months in prison, who was indicted for accepting 1 billion won worth of money and valuables under the pretext of various solicitations.

On the 12th, the 27th Criminal Agreement Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Kim Ok-gon) held a sentencing hearing for former Vice-President Lee, who was charged with violating the Act on Aggravated Punishment, etc. He was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 3 years in prison for the remaining charges, such as brokerage under the Special Police Act.

According to the Public Official Election Act, if a sentence of more than a certain amount is imposed for violating the Political Fund Act, it must be sentenced separately from other crimes in competition.

The court also ordered to collect 980 million won from Mr. Lee and confiscate various luxury items confiscated from Mr. Lee.

The sentencing sentence of the first trial is heavier than the prosecution’s sentence. At the decision trial held on the 23rd of last month, the prosecution sentenced Lee to three years in prison and asked for an order to confiscate various luxury goods and collect 980 million won.

The court of first instance found Lee guilty of most of the charges, saying, “The defendant received money and valuables amounting to 1 billion won by taking advantage of his position as a high-ranking official such as Seo Cho-gap, chairman of the Seoul Regional Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, which is the ruling party and majority party, and vice-president. Some of them were actively requested by the accused,” he pointed out.

“The accused is a political party who has tried to become a public official by running for elections for public offices such as members of the National Assembly several times, and considering that a high level of integrity equivalent to that of a public official is required, severe punishment is inevitable,” he said. Attempting to destroy, denying the crime by making claims that do not fit the objective evidence at the trial, and not showing sincere reflection by criticizing the donor of money.”

However, the court explained the background of the sentencing, saying, “The defendant confessed to some of the charges, returned some of the money and goods to the donor, and considered the fact that he had no history of punishment before this incident as an advantage.”

Among the charges charged, the court judged that some of the crimes of mediation overlapping with the violation of the Political Fund Act were not guilty. This is because it is difficult to see that the money and valuables received by Mr. Lee were the price for fulfilling the request for mediation.

▲ Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-dong, Seoul. (yunhap news)

According to the prosecution, from December 2019 to January of last year, former vice president Lee received dozens of times from businessman Park under the pretext of arranging government energy fund allocation, mask business-related authorizations and permits, delivery to public institutions, and Korea Southern Power employee approval. He was charged with receiving 940 million won in back money or receiving luxury goods.

From February to April 2020, when the 21st general election was held, there is also a charge of receiving illegal political funds of 330 million won from Park several times in the name of election expenses.

The prosecution judged that 270 million won of the money Lee received was applied to both the violation of the Political Fund Act and the crime of brokering, and calculated the total amount of money received as 1 billion won.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Lee is being indicted and tried in September of the same year on charges of paying more than the legal standard to campaign workers when he ran for re-election and by-election in March of last year. In addition, he was additionally charged with accepting millions of won in money and other valuables from prospective candidates ahead of local elections.

The two cases are merged and are pending trial. In the first trial of the case held by the same court on the 31st of last month, Lee’s side completely denied the allegations.

Reporter Park Il-kyung ekpark@