Lee Su-jeong appeals for leniency regarding false post about "President's son's military exemption"

"Believed it to be true... I apologize once again"
Sentencing hearing scheduled for the 12th of next month
Lee Su-jeong, People Power Party Suwon-jeong District Committee Chair / Photo = MBN
Lee Su-jeong, the People Power Party Suwon-jeong District Committee Chair, who posted false information on social media claiming that President Lee Jae-myung's two sons were exempt from military service, has appealed for leniency during her appellate trial.
In the closing hearing for the appeal regarding charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and the Information and Communications Network Act, held today (29th) at the Suwon High Court Criminal Division 14, Lee's legal team stated the grounds for appeal, noting that the post was made with public interest intentions rather than the intent to make a candidate lose the election, and that she corrected the information as soon as the facts were verified.
Lee's attorney argued, "The defendant voluntarily deleted the post immediately after verifying the facts and has apologized repeatedly since then," adding, "Since the military service status of a candidate's direct descendants is subject to public verification by voters, the intent to defame should, in principle, be denied when the disclosed facts pertain to the public interest."
In her final statement, Lee said, "I feel deeply ashamed and regretful that I, who have spent 30 years evaluating the reliability of others' statements, failed to doubt a single piece of information in my own hands," and "I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely apologize once again to the individuals and their families who were hurt by my post."
She continued to appeal for leniency, stating, "Through this trial, I have realized that my teaching career of nearly 30 years could end with dismissal," and "If I were to leave suddenly, it would not be easy to find someone to supervise the various students currently writing their theses in my laboratory."
Previously, the first instance court sentenced Lee to a fine of 3 million won.
The prosecution did not file a separate appeal and requested that the original verdict be maintained in the appellate court.
If the court dismisses the defendant's appeal as requested by the prosecution, Lee's sentence will remain a fine of 3 million won. Under the Public Official Election Act, if a sentence of a fine of 1 million won or more is finalized, the right to run for office is restricted, such as being unable to stand for election for the next five years.
The sentencing hearing for the appeal against Lee is scheduled to be held on November 12th at 2:00 PM.
Lee is accused of posting a false message on her social media (SNS) on May 28th last year, ahead of the presidential election, stating that "Candidate Lee Jae-myung (at the time) and his two sons were both exempt from military service."
It has been confirmed that President Lee's sons have all fulfilled their military service obligations.