Police Strengthen Crackdown on 'Election Offenders During Lunar New Year Holiday' Ahead of April General Election

Since December Last Year, a Nationwide Investigation Task Force of 2,135 Members Has Been Formed and Operated

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Migeun-dong, National Police Agency Headquarters building exterior [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The police will strengthen crackdowns on election offenders during the Lunar New Year holiday period ahead of the parliamentary elections in April.

On the 17th, the National Police Agency announced in a major work report that it will intensify crackdowns on election offenders engaging in illegal election campaigning during the Lunar New Year holiday. They anticipate frequent illegal activities disguised as holiday greetings and gift-giving, and plan to focus on intelligence gathering and enforcement activities.

Since December 16 of last year, the National Police Agency has already activated the 'Phase 1 Crackdown System,' organizing 276 teams with 2,135 investigators nationwide across local police agencies and stations to crack down on election offenders.

The key targets for crackdown during the Lunar New Year holiday include ▲ acts such as providing money, gifts, or entertainment under the pretext of holiday greetings or gifts ▲ providing food at election district residents' events such as Yutnori tournaments and village festivals ▲ illegal election campaigning acts such as posting illegal banners or sending greeting cards disguised as holiday greetings.

The police plan to dispatch election offense investigation teams immediately upon receiving reports related to election offenses and will notify the National Election Commission simultaneously, adhering to this principle. They also stated that they will maintain neutrality to prevent disputes such as favoritism toward specific candidates or leaks of investigation secrets during the case process.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the National Police Agency will allow parking for up to two hours on roads around 548 traditional markets nationwide for ten days from the 18th to the 27th during the Lunar New Year holiday. This measure aims to stimulate domestic consumption ahead of the holiday. Among the 548 markets, 381 locations will temporarily allow roadside parking based on the opinions of market merchant associations and road conditions, coordinated by local governments and the National Police Agency. The remaining 167 markets are places where year-round parking is already permitted.