Former President Yoon Suk-yeol faces verdict in false information trial; prosecutors seek 2-year sentence

A South Korean court is set to deliver its first-instance verdict on former President Yoon Suk-yeol for allegedly spreading false information during the 2022 presidential election campaign. The trial, which will be broadcast live, centers on claims that Yoon falsely denied introducing a lawyer to a former tax official and misrepresented his encounters with a political figure and his wife.

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Spreading false information that influences the correct judgment of the people who elect the president through direct elections is a serious crime in itself.

Prosecutors are seeking a two-year prison sentence, emphasizing the gravity of election law violations that can mislead voters. They argued that "spreading false information that influences the correct judgment of the people who elect the president through direct elections is a serious crime in itself."

However, Yoon's defense team has pushed back, calling the prosecution's case "unreasonable." They contend that Yoon answered questions truthfully based on his recollection and that the prosecution has "excessively interpreted" his words. Yoon himself stated during his closing remarks that he spoke "as things were" regarding the former tax official and that his brief responses during a chaotic debate were not intended to be false.

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The prosecution's case is unreasonable. The charges are an excessive interpretation of the defendant's words based on differences in the defendant's terminology and perception.

If Yoon receives a prison sentence of 1 million won or more, his former party, the People Power Party, would be required to return approximately 39.7 billion won in election expenses to the National Election Commission. The court's decision is highly anticipated, with the live broadcast aiming to ensure transparency in the proceedings.

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I spoke 'as things were' regarding the former tax official. When asked about Mr. Jeon, it was a chaotic situation where it wasn't even clear who was asking the question. I answered briefly according to the situation at the time, and I did not answer falsely.