The Democratic Party of Korea filed a complaint on the 30th against President Yoon Seok-yeol and Chief Secretary Lee Gwan-seop for violations of the Public Official Election Act and other laws. The demand for the resignation of Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is alleged to have violated the Public Official Election Act and the Political Parties Act.
Seo Young-kyo, Chairperson of the Democratic Party's Countermeasure Committee to Prevent the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration's Election Manipulation, along with Vice Chairperson So Byung-chul and Secretary Kang Byung-won, visited the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency that morning to submit the complaint.
Regarding the submission of the complaint, Chairperson Seo stated, "The president, as the highest-ranking public official who must maintain political neutrality, should set an exemplary standard. However, ahead of the 2024 general election, the president intervened in candidate selection and demanded the resignation of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman, interfering in party affairs and candidate selection, which has had a tremendous impact on the election." She referred to Chairman Han's statement that he "was asked to resign but refused," saying, "It has become publicly evident that the Presidential Office intervened in candidate selection and the internal affairs of the People Power Party."
She added, "The president must not influence elections in this manner," and said, "We have filed a complaint with the police today against the president for violations of Article 9 and Article 85 of the Public Official Election Act, as well as the Political Parties Act, urging a thorough investigation. We will closely monitor all future instances of the president’s populist pledges and excessive budget spending with a hawk’s eye."
Vice Chairperson So pointed out, "If illegal election interference continues, one may shift from being a former prosecutor or investigator to becoming a subject of investigation, a suspect, or a defendant in court. Keep in mind that the statute of limitations for violations of public officials’ election neutrality obligations has been extended to 10 years after the election."
Secretary Kang urged, "Our Constitution has provisions to strictly punish the executive branch, especially the president as its head, for interfering in party affairs and violating election laws to protect democracy and uphold the separation of powers. I hope the police conduct a thorough investigation to realize justice, showing that even those in power are not exceptions before the law."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
