|
December 26, 2008
|
|
| Two opposition lawmakers lost their seats on Wednesday for violating election law during the general election in April. It was the third and fourth time members of the legislature have been removed during the 18th National Assembly, following Lee Moo-young of the Democratic Party and Lee Han-jung of Creative Korea. The Supreme Court upheld an appellate court ruling that imposed a 5 million won ($3,808) fine on Democratic Party lawmaker Kim See-Woung, 56, and a year and a half jail term on independent lawmaker Kim Il-yun, 70. The Democrat was indicted without detention on charges of offering food and drinks to 14 voters in his district. The independent was taken into custody for offering 40 million won to his campaign team, allegedly for expenses. According to Korean election law, lawmakers are deprived of their seats if they are fined over 1 million won or sentenced to prison time. A total of 22 lawmakers are currently facing trial for such violations. Eleven have been sentenced to be stripped of their seats, and are still in the appeals process. Of the 11, four are from the Grand National Party, two are Democrats and three are members of the Pro-Park Alliance, which later merged with the GNP. Moon Kook-hyun, the head of the Creative Korea Party who ran in last year’s presidential election, was sentenced in early December to an eight-month suspended term and two years’ probation for selling a proportional legislative seat to Lee Han-jeong. He is expected to face a ruling in the appellate court soon. By Lee Sang-eon JoongAng Ilbo [mijukim@joongang.co.kr] |
|
