The Opposition Files Complaint Against Won Hee-ryong for Mentioning 'Strengthening Regime Change' Ahead of General Election

'Allegations of Violation of the Public Official Election Act'

The Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint with the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office on the 25th against Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong for violating the Public Official Election Act.

The Democratic Party's Public Relations Bureau stated in a notice that afternoon, "Public officials must maintain political neutrality according to the Public Official Election Act and must not exert undue influence on elections or engage in any actions that affect election results." They added, "However, Minister Won has overturned this common sense by acting as the campaign committee chairman for the People Power Party, deceiving the law. This is a clear illegal act and a deception of the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party said, "Public officials must uphold the duty of neutrality under Article 9 of the Public Official Election Act. Furthermore, according to Articles 85 and 86 of the same Act, they cannot exert influence on elections or engage in election campaign planning using their position." They continued, "On the 24th, Minister Won made remarks at a seminar held by an external organization affiliated with the People Power Party, expressing his intention to support the ruling party candidates' election campaigns with the next April general election in mind. This constitutes a clear violation of the Public Official Election Act as it breaches the political neutrality obligation of public officials, involves election interference, and affects election outcomes."

Previously, Minister Won said at a seminar held by conservative right-wing civic groups at the Air Force Hotel in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, "Until the last hour I serve as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, I promise to devote all my efforts and even spare my time to work with you to lay the groundwork for those who must bear the people's judgment, carrying the banner of the ruling party, with expectations for the president, support for the ruling party, and for the development of people's livelihoods, local issues, transportation, and infrastructure."

The Democratic Party claims that 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 violating the election law that mandates political neutrality for public officials.

The Democratic Party stated, "At a time just months before the general election, Minister Won expressed his intention to support the ruling party, the People Power Party, violating the duty of neutrality for public officials." They added, "This means that the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport declared his support for People Power Party candidates related to his duties. It can only be interpreted as a promise to plan election campaigns and use his position to support People Power Party candidates in the general election." Furthermore, they said, "Using his duties and position to exert undue influence on elections, involving public officials in election interference and affecting elections, Minister Won, who disregards the law and the people, is unfit to serve as a member of the State Council. The prosecution must conduct a thorough investigation to determine the illegality of Minister Won Hee-ryong's words and actions and hold him legally accountable."