The Jeju District Prosecutor’s Office is seeking a 1.5 million won fine from Governor Won Hee-ryong for alleged pre-electioneering. If the court agrees, his governorship would be in jeopardy. Joseph Kim reports.

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Jeju District Court

Governor Won Hee-ryong appeared at the court for the first trial on alleged election law violations.

The trial had been delayed for a month for failed delivery of the written prosecution and notice for jury trial.

He said his legal team has prepared for the trial and he, himself, would sincerely participate in the trial.

Interview
Won Hee-ryong / Governor
My attorneys have studied the situation at the time and gathered information to prepare for the trial. I’ll do my best to obtain fair and just results.
<싱크 : 원희룡 / 제주특별자치도지사>
"당시 상황이나 재판하는데 참고될 자료에 대해서 우리 변호인들이 열심히 준비한 것으로 알고 있습니다. 저도 성실하게 재판에 임해서 공정하고 올바른 결과가 나올 수 있도록 최선을 다하겠습니다."

The Jeju District Prosecutor’s Office has indicted Won on two counts of pre-electioneering based on the Public Official Election Act.

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Defense counsel acknowledges evidence submitted by prosecutors

Won’s defense counsel acknowledges the proof provided by prosecutors and prosecutors’ claim about when, where and what Won did.

However, prosecutors and Won’s side hold contrary opinions on the illegality of the same act.

Won’s legal team insisted that prosecutors indicted the governor for issues that the National Election Commission had already concluded. The commission disclosed the issues by giving a warning to Won.

It added that Won explained policies that had been open to the public at the place and at the time the prosecutors pointed, therefore the acts are not unlawful.

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‘Pre-electioneering ban may be unconstitutional’

The lawyers went on saying that a fine of over 1 million won has never been levied for pre-electioneering, and the pre-electioneering ban could be unconstitutional citing domestic and international examples.

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Prosecutors seek to fine governor \1.5m

Meanwhile, prosecutors demanded a fine of 1.5 million won for Won’s pre-electioneering.

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Prosecutors also want to fine 4 former senior civil servants

Prosecutors also demanded a fine of 1.5 million won to each of the four former senior civil servants who helped Won’s election campaign.

The court will pronounce its sentence on February 14th.

If the governor is fined one million won or more for violating the Public Official Election Act, he will lose the governorship.

[Reporter] Joseph Kim
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

Now, the islanders’ eyes are on the court as the day of sentence is approaching.

Joseph Kim, KCTV