The Seoul High Court on Friday sentenced governor-elect of Gangwon Province to a suspended jail term on charges of receiving illegal political funds, a ruling that could put him in suspension when he takes office next month.
Lee Kwang-jae, who won the gubernatorial race in the June 2 local elections on the main opposition Democratic Party's ticket, was sentenced to six months suspended for a year and a 114- million-won fine. By law, governors given jail terms are suspended from their duties until the ruling is finalized. A confirmed jail term or a fine of more than 1 million won removes an elected official from his or her seat.
Lee said he will appeal. The new governor's term begins July 1.
The governor-elect is accused of receiving illegal political funds from a local businessman who was at the center of a bribery scandal tied to late President Roh Moo-hyun's family. Lee was a close aide to the former president who committed suicide in the midst of the prosecution probe on the scandal.
Lee's successful bid in the race, along with two others who were also loyal to Roh, was seen as a strong return of the followers of the former president.
The lower court in September had sentenced Lee to eight months suspended for two years and a fine of 148 million won.//Yonhap
Lee Kwang-jae, who won the gubernatorial race in the June 2 local elections on the main opposition Democratic Party's ticket, was sentenced to six months suspended for a year and a 114- million-won fine. By law, governors given jail terms are suspended from their duties until the ruling is finalized. A confirmed jail term or a fine of more than 1 million won removes an elected official from his or her seat.
Lee said he will appeal. The new governor's term begins July 1.
The governor-elect is accused of receiving illegal political funds from a local businessman who was at the center of a bribery scandal tied to late President Roh Moo-hyun's family. Lee was a close aide to the former president who committed suicide in the midst of the prosecution probe on the scandal.
Lee's successful bid in the race, along with two others who were also loyal to Roh, was seen as a strong return of the followers of the former president.
The lower court in September had sentenced Lee to eight months suspended for two years and a fine of 148 million won.//Yonhap
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