[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] A total of 27 incumbent lawmakers were prosecuted for violating the Public Official Election Act during the April 15 general election.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced the results of the investigation into election-related offenses for the 21st National Assembly election on the 18th.
As of the 15th, the expiration date of the statute of limitations for election crimes, the number of suspects registered was 2,874, a 9.5% decrease compared to the 3,176 suspects in the 20th general election.
Among them, 36 were detained and 1,154 were indicted. The number of detained and indicted suspects decreased by 78 and 276 respectively compared to the 20th general election.
Among the indicted suspects, 27 were incumbent lawmakers, six fewer than the 33 in the 20th general election.
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office explained that the decrease in election-related suspects compared to the 20th general election was due to a significant reduction in face-to-face election campaigns to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
By party, the People Power Party had the highest number of indictments with 11 members including Jo Su-jin, Lee Chae-ik, and Hong Seok-jun. The Democratic Party had nine members prosecuted, including Jeong Jeong-sun, Lee Gyu-min, and Yoon Joon-byung. The Justice Party had one member (Lee Eun-ju), the Open Democratic Party one member (Choi Kang-wook), and five independents including Yoon Sang-hyun were also prosecuted.
By type, there were 10 cases of black propaganda and illegal publicity, seven related to election campaigning, six involving vote-buying, and four violations related to intra-party primary campaigns.
Among the People Power Party's 103 members, 11 were indicted, threatening the constitutional amendment blocking line (100 seats out of 300 total seats).
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
