Ex-Gyeonggi official gets 4 months for perjury over 'salmon party' claim

Lee Hwa-young, former Vice Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has been sentenced to four months in prison for perjury related to allegations of being pressured by prosecutors during an investigation. The verdict came after a jury trial where seven jurors voted 4-3 in favor of finding Lee guilty on the perjury charge.

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The jury's opinions are respected, and the testimonies of those involved in the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office's video recording room (Room 1313) were consistent, while the defendant's testimony lacked credibility, leading to a guilty verdict on this part.

The core of the trial centered on Lee's testimony during a parliamentary hearing in October 2024. He claimed he was offered salmon and other food during a drinking session with prosecutors, suggesting he was being coerced. However, prosecutors argued that Lee fabricated the story, leading to the perjury charges under the National Assembly Act on Testimony and Inspection.

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There was a drinking session where 'hoe덮밥' (rice with raw fish), salmon, and soju were provided, and during this process, there was coercion by the prosecution.

The court stated it respected the jury's decision, noting the consistent testimonies from individuals present in the prosecution's video recording room contrasted with Lee's inconsistent statements. Lee had previously changed his accounts regarding the date and location of the alleged drinking party, which likely influenced the verdict.

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There is insufficient evidence to prove involvement in split donations.

Despite the perjury conviction, Lee was acquitted of charges related to violating the Political Funds Act, specifically accusations of requesting "split donations" from former Ssangbangwool Group Chairman Kim Seong-tae during the 2018 Gyeonggi gubernatorial election and the 2021 Democratic Party presidential primary. The court found insufficient evidence for his involvement in split donations. Additionally, charges of abuse of power concerning the disregard of subordinates' objections to sending lumber and flour to North Korea in 2019 were dismissed.

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It is for every citizen to receive a guilty verdict after fully exercising their right to defense in a criminal case. Holding someone guilty in a case not prosecuted is an abuse of prosecutorial power.