Pyeongtaek Mayor's First Court Hearing, Witness and Forum Verification Requested

Kim Seon-gi (57), mayor of Pyeongtaek, took the witness stand.

On the afternoon of the 15th, the first trial hearing regarding charges of violating the Public Official Election Act (spreading false information and defamation) was held in Courtroom No. 203 of the First Criminal Division (Presiding Judge Oh Jun-geun) at Pyeongtaek Branch of Suwon District Court at 3 p.m.

The court panel completed personal identification of defendant Mayor Kim Seon-gi, and then coordinated positions between the prosecution and defense regarding procedural explanations for future trial proceedings and whether to request witnesses.

The defense counsel stated to the court that they would focus on three key issues during the upcoming trial proceedings: that they were unaware of the false information, that the information was not false, and that there was no intent to spread false information.

The defense counsel said, "We agree to the records of the charges as stated to the prosecution," and added, "We plan to collect and submit additional evidence from the joint candidate debate forum going forward."

In addition, the defense counsel requested two witnesses—civic group officials—and verification of the (debate forum) related CD, which the court accepted.

Mayor Kim claimed at a joint debate forum for Pyeongtaek mayoral candidates held on May 26 before the June 2 local elections, which was hosted by a Pyeongtaek civic group, that the opposing candidate had granted special favors to a specific company. He was reported to the prosecution on May 29 by the Grand National Party Pyeongtaek chapter and was indicted by the prosecution without detention on charges of spreading false information and defamation.

The next trial hearings for Mayor Kim will be held at 2 p.m. on December 6 and 2 p.m. on December 13 at Pyeongtaek Branch Courtroom No. 203.