"Double bubble remittance to North Korea." Lee Hwa-young's second trial was also sentenced to prison..."Lee Jae-myung paid for his visit to North Korea"

[Anchor]
Lee Hwa-young, a former vice governor of peace in Gyeonggi-do Province who was indicted on charges of illegal remittance to North Korea, was also sentenced to prison in the appeal trial.

The court judged that the remittance of the Ssangbangwool Group to North Korea was to pay for Lee Jae-myung's visit to North Korea, but it is expected to affect Lee's upcoming trial.

Reporter Shin Gwi-hye reports.

[Reporter]
Lee Hwa-young, former governor of peace in Gyeonggi Province, who was indicted on charges of illegal remittance to North Korea through Ssangbangwool Group, was also sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison at the appeal trial.

The appeals court maintained all the judgments of the first trial and decided that the $8 million remittance to North Korea was true.

The court pointed out that former lieutenant governor Lee had a clear political motive to push for then-governor Lee Jae-myung's visit to North Korea, and Ssangbangwool Group also jumped into the North Korean project in earnest after accepting former lieutenant governor Lee's request for payment.

In the meantime, it was determined that $3.94 million of the $8 million was taken out of the country without going through the reporting process, of which $2 million was paid to the Korean Workers' Party, which is subject to financial sanctions.

The allegations of conciliation of the statement seminar and liquor court claimed by the former lieutenant governor Lee did not admit, saying, "It is difficult to understand."

However, the court reduced the sentence by one year and 10 months from the first trial, saying that the smart farm project had a policy purpose, such as being carried out on a humanitarian level.

As the court acknowledges most of the facts, it is expected to affect the trial of Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea.

As the fact-finding hearing ends at the appeal trial, it is highly likely that the court in charge of Lee's first trial will follow the judgment.

Former lieutenant governor Lee has expressed his intention to appeal.

[Kim Kwang-min / Former deputy governor of peace in Gyeonggi Province Lee Hwa-young: (Former lieutenant governor Lee) gave me that position because the court recognized all the fabricated evidence from the prosecution.]

The prosecution also said it is difficult to accept the reduced sentence, and that it will decide whether to appeal after reviewing the ruling.

I'm YTN's Shin Gwihye.

Reporter for shooting
: Jang Myung-ho
Edit
video: Lee Ju-yeon

Design: Im Saetbyul