Prosecutors Seek Disqualification of Yoon Suk Yeol in Election Case

The special investigation team led by Kim Geon-hee has requested that the appellate court impose a disqualification sentence on Yoon Suk Yeol, who was indicted for allegedly disseminating false information during his campaign as the presidential candidate for the People Power Party.

During the sentencing hearing held on the 13th at the Seoul High Court, the special investigation team stated, "We ask that the defendant's appeal be dismissed." The court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on the case on the 27th at 2 p.m.

Yoon was indicted for making false statements at a discussion hosted by the Kwanhun Club on December 14, 2021, claiming he had not introduced lawyer Lee Nam-seok, who is associated with former Yongsan Tax Office Chief Yoon Dae-jin. He also faces charges for making false statements during an interview at the launch of the Buddhist Leaders Forum on January 17, 2022, regarding his relationship with Jeon Seong-bae, stating, "I have met him once, but not with my wife."

The special investigation team noted, "After the defendant's statements during the 20th presidential election, various allegations quieted down, and he maintained his status as a leading candidate." They argued that, considering the trends in approval ratings, election results, and vote margins, the defendant's actions significantly influenced the election outcome.

They added, "Given the ongoing controversies surrounding the defendant and his spouse, the relationship with Jeon Seong-bae was a crucial factor affecting voters' judgments about the candidate. Yet, the defendant continues to mislead the public and the court by changing his statements even during the trial."

Yoon has maintained his innocence. In his closing statement, he asserted, "I did not introduce a lawyer to Yoon Dae-jin in a legal sense, nor did I tell that lawyer to assist him. The facts are clear."

Regarding his statements about Jeon, he remarked, "Interpreting my words as 'I have never met Jeon Seong-bae with my spouse' distorts the language of Korea. If this is deemed to be disseminating false information, then why hold elections at all?"

In the first trial on July 27, the court found all charges brought by the special investigation team to be guilty, sentencing Yoon to 1 year and 6 months in prison, with a 3-year probation. The special investigation team had sought a 2-year prison sentence during the first trial.

If Yoon receives a sentence of over 1 million won in fines, his election will be invalidated, and the People Power Party will be required to return approximately 39.7 billion won to the National Election Commission.