Minju, Minister Won Hee-ryong Reported to the Corruption Investigation Office for "Laying the Groundwork for Ruling Party Support"

Won Hee-ryong the day before, remarks at conservative group seminar
"Foundational work under ruling party figures"
Suspected violation of Public Official Election Act

The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 25th that it will file a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) against Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Kang Seon-woo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters immediately after the party's Supreme Council meeting that day, "At today's Supreme Council meeting, it was decided at the party level to file a complaint against Minister Won Hee-ryong for violating the Public Official Election Act in relation to his remarks at a civic group seminar."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Minister Won said at a seminar held at the Air Force Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, hosted by a conservative civic group, "Until the last hour I serve as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, I promise to devote all my political efforts and spare time to work behind the scenes for the people's livelihood, local issues, and the development of transportation and infrastructure, supporting the president's expectations, backing the ruling party, and those who must be judged by the people under the ruling party's banner."

The Democratic Party claims this can be interpreted as an intention to support ruling party candidates as the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport ahead of next year's National Assembly general election, thus constituting a violation of the election law that mandates political neutrality for public officials.

Meanwhile, the event held the previous day was a regular breakfast seminar of the group called "Saemijun" (Meeting to Prepare a New Future), which presents itself as a civic organization. Lee Cheol-gyu, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, serves as the advisory committee chairman and de facto representative, and many People Power Party lawmakers, including leader Kim Ki-hyun, attended the event.