Former South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was found not guilty in his first trial on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, KBS 뉴스 reported on Thursday. The case concerned a donation of 1.5 million won that Han made to a restaurant in Gwangju ahead of the presidential election.
According to KBS 뉴스, the court ruled that Han had not objectively expressed an intention to run for office, which was central to the prosecution's case. The ruling was delivered by the first-instance court.
The donation drew attention because it was made to what multiple outlets described as a low-cost restaurant, where meals are said to cost around 1,000 won. Reports from KBS 뉴스, 한겨레, 조선일보 and other Korean media focused on the timing of the contribution relative to the presidential election and whether it amounted to a prohibited act under election law.
The court's finding that there was no objective expression of intent to seek office formed the basis for the acquittal, according to KBS 뉴스. The verdict was covered widely by South Korean media, with several outlets issuing breaking news alerts.
Han Duck-soo previously served as prime minister of South Korea. The specific details of the charges and the full reasoning of the court were not available in the source material.
What to watch next: whether prosecutors appeal the first-instance ruling, which would send the case to a higher court.
