Kim Se-hwan, former Secretary General of the National Election Commission (Minister level), who has been indicted for allegedly exerting influence on local election commissions to hire his son and providing various favors, denied the charges.
According to the legal community on the 21st, the Incheon District Court Criminal Division 12 (presiding judge Choi Young-gak) conducted a preparatory hearing for the trial of Kim, who is charged with abuse of power and violations of the State Public Officials Act.
Kim's attorney stated in court, "We deny the charges," adding, "The government officials with whom the defendant has contact, either in person or by phone, are only about five, and the other charges concern public officials not directly involved."
The attorney also noted, "There is no fact that the defendant called and said 'I ask for your kind cooperation' regarding the actions among the charges," and added, "We will clarify our opinion regarding the evidence at the next hearing."
The preparatory hearing is a procedure that organizes the issues, evidence, and future schedule regarding the case before the formal trial. While the defendant is not obliged to attend the preparatory hearing, Kim appeared in court that day. However, Kim left the court without answering questions from reporters regarding why he denied the charges after the trial.
Kim is accused of exercising influence by directing that a person with whom he has a close relationship be included as an interviewer for his son to be hired as a level 8 public servant at the Ganghwa County Election Commission under the Incheon City Election Commission in 2019 and informing about his son's application. He is also accused of violating laws by illegally transferring his son to the secretariat of the Incheon City Election Commission within a year, providing official residence, and having the rent paid.
Kim's next preparatory hearing is scheduled to be held on May 19.