Prosecutors Conclude No Charges in Park Geun-hye's 'Prison Letter' Election Law Violation Report

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Former President Park Geun-hye, who was accused of conducting illegal election campaigning by appealing for opposition party support through a prison letter ahead of the April 15 general election, has been cleared by the prosecution.

According to the legal community on the 14th, the Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Yang Dong-hoon) dismissed the case filed by the Justice Party against former President Park for violating the Public Official Election Act due to insufficient evidence.

Former President Park disclosed a handwritten letter written while incarcerated through lawyer Yoo Young-ha ahead of the April 15 general election in March. In the letter, Park stated, "The country is in a very difficult situation. For a better Republic of Korea, I earnestly ask everyone who held the Taegeukgi, centered on the existing major opposition party, to unite and join forces."

In response, the Justice Party reported to the prosecution that despite Park having lost voting rights due to a confirmed two-year prison sentence related to candidate interference, she publicly appealed for support of the United Future Party (now People Power Party), thus conducting election campaigning.

Article 18 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that a person sentenced to imprisonment of one year or more does not have the right to vote. Additionally, Article 60 of the same law states that those without voting rights cannot engage in election campaigning.

Meanwhile, the Justice Party is considering filing a re-investigation request regarding the prosecution's dismissal.