Prosecutors Indict Governor Won Hee-ryong for Buying 25 Pizzas at Youth Employment Support Agency

Violation of 'Donation Act Restrictions' under the Public Official Election Act

On July 15, Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, attended the Future United Party's freshman meeting held at the National Assembly and was talking with a lawmaker. / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, who gifted 25 pizzas while visiting institutions supporting youth employment and startups earlier this year, has been brought to trial on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The Jeju District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 22nd that Won was indicted without detention on charges of violating the restrictions on donation activities under the Public Official Election Act.

On January 2nd of this year, Won dressed as a pizza delivery person and visited the Jeju The Bigger Tomorrow Center on Yeonbuk-ro, Jeju City, an institution supporting youth employment and startups, providing 25 pizzas worth about 600,000 won free of charge to around 100 trainees and staff.

The Jeju Provincial Election Commission judged in February that Won's act of providing pizza violated the Public Official Election Act and reported it to the prosecution.

Article 113 (Restrictions on Donation Activities by Candidates, etc.) of the Public Official Election Act prohibits members of the National Assembly or heads of local governments from making donations to people or institutions within their electoral districts.

Additionally, Article 257 (Crimes of Violating Prohibition or Restriction on Donation Activities), Paragraph 1 of the same law stipulates that violating Article 113 is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 10 million won.