[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Seoyul] Former candidate Kim Seunghyun for Gangseo District Mayor, who was accused of conducting early election campaigning in last June's local elections, has been indicted.
The Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jundong) announced on the 3rd that former candidate Kim was indicted without detention on charges of early election campaigning (violation of the Public Official Election Act) and illegal receipt of political funds (violation of the Political Funds Act).
The prosecution has continued its investigation into co-defendant former candidate Kim, whose statute of limitations was suspended after three individuals, including construction businessman Jo, were indicted on December 1 last year for violations of the Public Official Election Act related to the Gangseo District Mayor election.
The prosecution stated, "We confirmed Kim's early election campaigning charges and additionally uncovered the illegal receipt of political funds, leading to the indictment on charges of violating the Political Funds Act as well."
Earlier, in May last year, Yoon Dogwon, vice chairman of the Democratic Party's Gangseo-eul regional committee, revealed in a press conference that Democratic Party lawmaker Jin Seongjun appealed for support at a gathering where dozens of people were invited and meal expenses were paid for Kim, who was running as the Gangseo District Mayor candidate.
Yoon also claimed that lawmaker Jin received activity funds from local construction businessman Jo to recruit party members to help Kim become district mayor.
The police referred lawmaker Jin to the prosecution on November 30 last year on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, and Kim was sent to the prosecution on the 23rd of the same month on charges of early election campaigning (violation of the Public Official Election Act). Jo was also handed over to the prosecution without detention on the 15th of the same month.
Meanwhile, the prosecution dismissed charges against lawmaker Jin, who was sent to the prosecution on suspicion of aiding Kim's early election campaigning, citing no evidence of wrongdoing.
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