1300 Wedding Invitations Showing 'Son's Wedding' Bank Account Distributed by Jangheung County Mayor... Police Say "Not a Crime"

Jangheung Residents Reported for 'Kim Young-ran Act Violation'
Police: "Returning 24 Million Won in Congratulatory Money Is Not a Crime"

The police investigation into Kim Seong, former mayor of Jangheung County, Jeonnam, who was reported for violating the 'Kim Young-ran Act' by sending out a large number of wedding invitations printed with his bank account number ahead of his son's wedding, has been closed with no charges.

On the 29th, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit 1 of the Jeonnam Police Agency dismissed the charges against Mayor Kim, who had been booked without detention for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act.

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Earlier, Mayor Kim was reported for violating the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act after sending card-type wedding invitations to 300 residents and acquaintances and mobile invitations to 1,000 people ahead of his eldest son's wedding in March.

The paper invitations contained his own bank account number, while the mobile invitations included the bank account numbers of the groom, bride, and both families' heads.

A Jangheung resident who filed the complaint claimed there was evidence that Mayor Kim received congratulatory money exceeding the legal limit of 50,000 won and requested a police investigation.

The invitations were also sent to 105 individuals related to his official duties, and in April, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission judged this as a violation of the public officials' code of conduct.

Former Jangheung County Governor Kim Seong, who was accused of violating the 'Kim Young-ran Act' for mass mailing wedding invitations with his bank account number ahead of his son's wedding, was cleared of charges.
[Photo by Asia Economy DB]

However, elected public officials or political appointees such as ministers appointed with the consent of the National Assembly are not subject to disciplinary action under the code of conduct as stipulated in Article 3 of the code's scope of application.

The police judged that no criminal act was established considering that Mayor Kim returned approximately 24 million won in congratulatory money to the parties involved and that the return occurred before the wedding ceremony.

At the time of sending the invitations, some residents pointed out that it was burdensome for the mayor, who holds significant influence in the local community, to send out the invitations.

There was also criticism suggesting that the wedding, held in Seoul?at least a five-hour drive from Jangheung County?in the morning, making attendance difficult for most, might have been a blatant way to solicit congratulatory money.