Seoul University Students Progressive Union Member Fined 2.5 Million Won for 'Oh Se-hoon Defeat Campaign'... 'Not a Justifiable Act'

[Financial News] A member of the Seoul University Students Progressive Union, who was prosecuted for holding a protest with defeat placards at the campaign site of Oh Se-hoon, a People Power Party lawmaker (then United Future Party candidate) during the general election five years ago, has been sentenced to a fine.
On the 3rd, the 11th Criminal Division of the Seoul Eastern District Court, presided over by Judge Kang Min-ho, sentenced Mr. Koo (32), who was tried for violating the Public Official Election Act, to a fine of 2.5 million won on the afternoon of the 27th. Mr. Koo was absent from the previous sentencing date, so the trial proceeded on this day.
The court stated, "The defendant's main purpose was to prevent candidate Oh from being elected," and pointed out, "Such actions undermine the fairness of the election and pose a risk of inciting excessive competition, so they cannot be justified." The court added, "There was no urgent necessity, and it is difficult to see this as an election campaign conducted in accordance with the procedures set by the Public Official Election Act. The defendant also showed an uncooperative attitude during the investigation, which does not reflect well on the circumstances after the offense."
Mr. Koo was accused of staging a placard protest in the Gwangjin District of Seoul ahead of the 21st National Assembly election in 2020, criticizing Oh for giving 1.2 million won in encouragement payments to apartment security guards and cleaners.
This ruling is the final verdict for the last remaining defendant among the 19 Seoul University Students Progressive Union members who were prosecuted for the same incident. In earlier trials, other defendants received fines ranging from 1 million to 6 million won, with some given suspended sentences.
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter