Ahead of the June 1 Election, Successive Cases of Food Donations and Political Fund Receipts

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] Ahead of the June 1 local elections, illegal activities have been repeatedly uncovered in Gyeongnam.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Election Commission announced on the 8th that local election commissions in the province have reported seven individuals to the prosecution for violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act, including donating food, receiving political funds, and reporting distorted facts before the local elections.

The Hapcheon County Election Commission reported former local councilor A and acquaintance B to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office Geochang Branch for providing food worth 66,000 won to two constituency residents in late last month.

Fines are being considered for the two constituency residents who received the food.

The Hadong County Election Commission reported candidate C and construction businessman D to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office Jinju Branch for exchanging 10 million won in cash in late February under the pretext of business convenience.

The Geochang County Election Commission reported chairman E and secretary F of a specific group to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office Geochang Branch for arranging a meeting of 15 constituency residents under the name of a member gathering and providing food worth 294,000 won for a preliminary candidate in late last month.

Fines are being considered for the constituency residents who received the food.

The Sancheong County Election Commission reported G, the representative of an internet newspaper, to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office Jinju Branch for writing and publishing articles containing false information or distorted facts three times between mid and late February with the intent to have a specific person elected in the local elections.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Election Commission expressed concern over the increase in election law violations as the local elections approach in about 50 days, stating, “We will actively encourage reports and tips on illegal activities, strengthen information-gathering related to suspicious illegal acts, and promptly investigate by deploying a metropolitan investigation team upon detecting violations.”