Prosecution Indicts Kim Bu-yeong, Changnyeong County Governor Candidate, on Charges of Offering Bribery Worth Hundreds of Millions

Suspicion of Providing 130 Million KRW to Candidate for Vote Distribution
Explanation of "Kim Bu-yeong Not Detained Despite Imminent Statute of Limitations" Background

Kim Bu-young, Governor of Changnyeong County, Gyeongnam.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] On the 30th, the Miryang Branch of Changwon District Prosecutors' Office indicted Kim Bu-young, the mayor of Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongnam, without detention on charges of violating election laws, including candidate bribery.

The prosecution stated, "From March to June, Kim Bu-young, the mayor, allegedly had Kim Mo (an administrative officer), who was assisting a People Power Party preliminary candidate for county councilor at the time, join the Democratic Party?which had decided not to nominate a candidate?in order to disperse support votes for the competing independent candidate Han Jeong-woo. After Kim Mo was nominated as a candidate, Kim Bu-young promised to provide 10 million won each to Kim and two others as compensation, and provided a total of 130 million won over three installments, constituting candidate bribery."

They added, "On October 17, 2020, Kim Bu-young conspired with county councilor Kim Mo and reporter Hong Mo to provide meals worth 370,000 won to about 20 voters in the electoral district to solicit support, and gave 1 million won to voter reporter Hong Mo, violating laws on donation activities and pre-election campaigning."

The prosecution explained the reason for detention, stating, "Regarding candidate bribery, Im Mo promised to give 300 million won to Kim Mo, the administrative officer, and two others as compensation for joining the Democratic Party and receiving nomination, and provided 43 million won each, leading to his detention and indictment on charges of candidate bribery."

Kim Mo, the administrative officer; Kim Mo, the monk; Im Mo; county councilor Kim Mo; and former reporter Hong Mo were indicted either with or without detention on charges including 'candidate bribery,' 'violation of the Act on the Regulation of Concealment of Criminal Proceeds,' 'third-party donation activities,' and 'pre-election campaigning.'

The prosecution explained the background regarding Kim Bu-young, stating, "Considering the statute of limitations was imminent, he was indicted without detention."