Park Jin-ho, chairman of the People Power Party's Gimpo-Gap district chapter, has retained his position after receiving a fine of less than 1 million won in his first trial on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
According to legal sources Wednesday, the Criminal Division 1 of the Bucheon Branch of Incheon District Court, presided over by Judge Na Sang-hun, sentenced Park to a fine of 800,000 won and ordered the forfeiture of 1 million won.
The court found Park guilty of only 1 million won out of the 4 million won in political fund receipt charges filed by prosecutors. The court ruled that "the defendant was aware that he was receiving funds in a manner not permitted under the Political Funds Act."
For the remaining 3 million won, the court acquitted Park, stating that "such awareness was not sufficiently proven." Park was indicted for allegedly receiving illegal political funds on two occasions in October and December 2023.
The charge of violating the Public Official Election Act was not recognized. The court ruled that "there is no evidence that the defendant directly solicited support at the unity rally" and that "it is difficult to conclude there was a clear purpose of winning the election as the event was held seven months before election day."
The false accusation charge against a journalist was also dismissed. The court explained that "because the Public Official Election Act violation and part of the Political Funds Act violation were not sufficiently proven, the premise is not established" and "the false accusation charge was also not proven."
Regarding sentencing, the court stated that "considering the legislative intent of the Political Funds Act, the offense cannot be taken lightly." However, the court ruled that "the amount is not large, and it is difficult to conclude that the donor exercised improper political influence or that the act significantly affected the results of the 22nd general election."
Under the Public Official Election Act, a confirmed sentence of imprisonment or a fine of 1 million won or more results in the loss of candidacy rights for five years.