Police Investigate 171 Election Offenders in By-Election... 42% Involved in Banner and Poster Damage

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The police announced that during the April 7 by-election period, they conducted crackdowns on election-related offenders, referring 4 individuals to the prosecution and currently investigating or conducting preliminary inquiries into 162 others.

On the 8th, the National Police Agency revealed that among the election offenders caught, 72 (42.1%) were involved in 'banner and poster damage,' 45 (26.3%) in 'false election statements' such as spreading misinformation, and 9 (5.3%) in 'distribution of illegal printed materials.' The 'five major election crimes'?which include vote-buying, false election statements, and election violence?accounted for 63 individuals, representing 36.8% of the total.

Since December 8 of last year, the start date for preliminary candidate registration, the police formed dedicated investigation teams at police stations in election areas to collect intelligence and conduct crackdowns. From the candidate registration day on the 18th of last month, the Seoul and Busan Police Agencies, along with 60 police stations, operated 'Election Offender Investigation Situation Rooms' to respond 24 hours a day.

Considering that the statute of limitations for election crimes is short at six months, the National Police Agency plans to handle ongoing investigations swiftly and fairly through close cooperation with the prosecution. Even after election day, they intend to strengthen intelligence gathering and crackdowns on illegal acts such as providing money or goods under the pretexts of congratulations, consolation, or return favors.