By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Huh Kyung-young, who ran in the presidential election last December and enjoyed popularity for his eccentric pledges, was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in prison for violating the Election Law.
A local court handed down the prison term to Huh, 58, who was arrested for spreading false information about his career and defaming former Grand National Party Chairwoman Park Geun-hye.
``Huh violated the Election Law by giving out false information about him and Park during the election campaign. He deserves the punishment as he has not reflected on his wrongdoing,'' the court said in its ruling.
Huh's false allegations included saying that he was invited to U.S. President George W. Bush's inauguration party; that Bush offered him the secretary general position at the United Nations; and that he received an award for his contribution to the ``peace of mankind.''
He also claimed that he and Park would wed at Cheong Wa Dae should he become president.
The prosecution found the photo which Huh claimed to have had taken at the inauguration of President Bush was manipulated. Park also sued him for libel.
However, the court threw out the charge that he ordered his aides to distribute promotion leaflets about himself to people at subway stations, saying there was no evidence of his direct involvement.
The court also found former and incumbent heads of a weekly tabloid guilty for publishing the groundless rumors in exchange for money from Huh. It handed down a one-year suspended jail term to each of them and ordered them to perform 110 hours of community service, saying they neglected their duty to report the truth.
Huh's lawyer said he would appeal after collecting more evidence and witnesses.
Despite the foul play, Huh gained popularity during and after the election period due to his unrealistic but funny pledges, winning nearly 100,000 votes in the election ― the largest portion among minor candidates.
He promised to give 100 million won to newlyweds and 30 million won to each woman giving birth; to relocate the United Nations headquarters to Panmunjeom; and to pay mobile phone fees for individuals.
He claimed he was adopted by Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul and worked as a secretary for former President Park Chung-hee. Huh also said that he has an IQ of 430 and supernatural powers which can cure diseases.