Court Rules Former Official’s Claims of ‘Drinking While Investigating’ False
A court has ruled that the claims made by Lee Hwa-young, former Deputy Governor of Gyeonggi Province, regarding alleged instances of ‘drinking while investigating’ during prosecutorial proceedings were false. Consequently, the court has sentenced the former deputy governor to four months in prison for providing false testimony to the National Assembly, a decision reached after a jury deliberation.
Background of the Allegations
The sentencing comes two years and two months after the former deputy governor alleged in April 2024 that he received outside food and soju during an investigation into the Daebeok remittance case. He claimed that a prosecutor engaged in manipulation of testimony. These allegations led to a hearing at the National Assembly concerning the prosecutor and an investigation into alleged document fabrication. While political circles and state agencies sought to verify the truth, no concrete evidence emerged to substantiate the claims of prosecutorial misconduct or the introduction of alcohol. Instead, legal assessments indicate that the former deputy governor’s testimony regarding the dates, locations, and specifics of drinking sessions repeatedly changed, a fact that became apparent through numerous witness accounts.
Court’s Decision and Sentencing
The Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 11, presided over by Judge Song Byeong-hoon, delivered a four-month prison sentence for the former deputy governor’s alleged violation of the National Assembly Act. Of the seven jury members, four concluded that the false testimony in the National Assembly was indeed false, a verdict the presiding judge accepted.
Inconsistent Testimony
The former deputy governor had initially claimed in April 2024, during the Daebeok remittance case review, that there was a drinking session in the prosecutor’s office in June or early July of 2023. However, his account shifted over time. In subsequent statements to the media and during the National Assembly hearing, he altered the location to a video investigation room and changed the date from ‘June 18th or 30th’ to ‘May 17th’. His statements regarding alcohol consumption also varied; he initially stated his face was flushed from drinking soju, but later claimed he only touched a paper cup to his lips without drinking.
Analysis of Testimony Discrepancies
The court stated, “Considering the testimonies of related individuals at the time, it is difficult to conclude that there was a drinking session in the prosecutor’s office, Room 1313, on May 17, 2023, as claimed by the victim.” The court further elaborated, “The former deputy governor’s testimony regarding the timing, location, and whether alcohol was consumed has been altered multiple times in critical aspects and does not align with the statements of numerous witnesses. It appears he was aware of the falsehood of his statements when making them.”
Acquittal on Other Charges
The court acquitted the former deputy governor on charges related to allegations that he solicited political funds from Kim Sung-tae, former chairman of Sangbangwool, for job appointments during the 2018 Gyeonggi Province gubernatorial election and the 2021 Democratic Party leadership election. This acquittal was based on the unanimous decision of the seven jury members.
Decision on North Korean Aid Smuggling Allegations
The case concerning allegations that the former deputy governor smuggled goods, including gold, to North Korea under the guise of humanitarian aid has been ruled as not guilty. The jury found that the smuggling of public funds was not established. However, the court stated, “The prosecution had previously registered the defendant as a public offender in the official document of Shin Myung-seop, former Director of Gyeonggi Province Peace Cooperation, whose request for public funds was rejected. Director Shin received a guilty verdict in his trial. Imposing a guilty verdict in a case where public funds were not legitimately requested constitutes an abuse of public funds.”
Former Official’s Reaction
Following the sentencing, the former deputy governor smiled at his wife, Baek Mo-ssi, and supporters in the courtroom before leaving the premises.
