Former Hwaseong Mayor Choi Young-geun Admits to Charges in Appeals Court

Choi Young-geun (54), former mayor of Hwaseong, who was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial on charges of abuse of authority and obstruction of rights for allegedly instructing a change to employee performance rankings to help a specific staff member, reversed his previous stance of claiming innocence in the appeals court and admitted to the charges.

At an appeals court proceeding held on the 8th before the Criminal Division No. 6 of the Suwon District Court (Presiding Judge Song In-gwon), Choi's defense attorney stated: "We admit to all the charges. This was intended to resolve inequalities in the personnel evaluation of a female employee, but it appears our intentions were excessive. Given that similar cases have resulted in fines, we request that sentencing be considered leniently."

In his final statement, the former mayor said: "I have once again realized the importance of my position as a leader of the organization. I ask for an opportunity to breathe with citizens again, given that I worked diligently for Hwaseong City."

The prosecution requested dismissal of the appeal.

Choi was indicted without detention on charges of repeatedly instructing the city's personnel manager to raise the performance rating rankings of a grade-6 employee to support his promotion while serving as Hwaseong mayor from 2008 to 2009.

The former mayor had claimed innocence, arguing he "exercised legitimate authority," but the first trial court sentenced him to eight months imprisonment with a two-year suspended sentence in February.

Meanwhile, the former mayor, who had officially announced his candidacy for Hwaseong mayor in the June 4 local election, requested the court to issue a verdict before the deadline for filing a candidacy with the Saenuri Party (the 20th), citing the timing, but due to the court's schedule, the sentencing hearing has been set for the 24th.