The local mayor faces a final decision today on ‘election law violation’ for giving holiday gifts to residents.

First trial: 2 years imprisonment, 3 years probation… Appeal dismissed in the second trial
If upheld by the Supreme Court, loss of mayoral position and disqualification from candidacy, ‘[E-Daily Reporter Choi Oh-hyun] The Supreme Court’s decision regarding Gimcheon Mayor Kim Choong-seop, who is on trial for violating the Public Official Election Act, will be announced today (the 28th).’,
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Mayor Kim Choong-seop is leaving the Daegu District Court in Suseong-gu, Daegu, after finishing his appeal trial for violating the Public Official Election Act on the morning of August 29. (Photo = Yonhap News)

, ‘According to the legal community on the 28th, the Supreme Court’s 2nd division (Justice Kwon Young-joon presiding) will hold a sentencing hearing at 10 a.m. for Mayor Kim’s appeal.’,
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, ‘Mayor Kim was indicted for allegedly mobilizing public officials to provide gifts and cash worth about 66 million won to over 1,800 people, including journalists, local National Assembly, city, and provincial council members, and heads of related organizations, during the holidays around Seollal and Chuseok in 2021 ahead of the local elections.’,
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, ‘During the first trial, Mayor Kim’s lawyer argued that it was the local government, not the mayor, who made the donations, and that the recipients did not perceive them as gifts from the Gimcheon mayor, pleading for leniency. Mayor Kim also expressed regret in his final statement, saying, “I have a big regret for not ending the gift-giving tradition sooner,” and appealed for time to serve the city, stating, “I want to carry forward the projects for Gimcheon’s future without hindrance.”‘,
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, ‘However, in February, the first trial court ruled that despite being explained as a long-standing tradition, it could not be considered a legitimate act and sentenced him to two years in prison with a three-year probation. The second trial court dismissed both the prosecution’s and Mayor Kim’s appeals in August, maintaining the original verdict. If the Supreme Court upholds this verdict today, Mayor Kim will lose his position due to invalidation of his election.’,
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, ‘Under the Public Official Election Act, if an elected public official is sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more, their election is invalidated, and they lose their right to be elected for five years.’,
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