Among Jeonbuk Candidates, 4 Have Assets Over 2 Billion KRW... Highest Number of Criminal Records: 9 Cases

Among the candidates who ran in Jeonbuk in the April 10 general election, four were found to have assets exceeding 2 billion KRW. The candidate with the most criminal records had nine offenses, mainly including violations of the Labor Standards Act, obstruction of official duties, and violations of the Assembly and Demonstration Act.

Gyeonggi-do Gwacheon-si Central Election Commission.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the National Election Commission on the 22nd, as of 5 p.m. that day, the candidate who reported the highest assets among the registered candidates in the province was Yang Jeong-mu of the People Power Party, running in Jeonju-si Gap. He declared assets exceeding 5 billion KRW, which will be finalized after approval by the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Election Commission.

Yang, who has worked in business for over 30 years, is also well known as the chairman of Langsfield, Korea’s first domestic golf brand.

Following him were Jeong Un-cheon of the People Power Party in Jeonju-si Eul (3.042 billion KRW) and Park Hee-seung of the Democratic Party in Namwon, Jangsu, Imsil, and Sunchang (2.883 billion KRW).

Park is a former judge-turned-lawyer who served as chief judge at the Seoul Central District Court, senior chief judge at the Seoul Western District Court, and head of the Anyang branch of the Suwon District Court.

Also, Jeon Hee-jae of the People Power Party in Jeonju-si Byeong reported the fourth highest assets at 2.551 billion KRW. He is a former vice governor of Jeonbuk Province and is running for election for the third time, following the 2009 by-election and the 2016 general election.

Other candidates who registered assets exceeding 1 billion KRW include incumbent Democratic Party candidate Yoon Jun-byeong in Jeongeup and Gochang (1.625 billion KRW), Han Gi-dae of Saeroun Mirae in Namwon, Jangsu, Imsil, and Sunchang (1.595 billion KRW), Moon Yong-hoe of the People Power Party in Iksan Eul (1.544 billion KRW), Lee Seong-yoon of the Democratic Party in Jeonju-si Eul (1.308 billion KRW), Lee Won-taek of the Democratic Party in Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan Gap (1.259 billion KRW), Han Byung-do of the Democratic Party in Iksan Eul (1.237 billion KRW), and Kim Yoon-duk of the Democratic Party in Jeonju-si Gap (1.2 billion KRW).

The only candidate who reported negative assets (-36 million KRW) was Shin Jae-yong, a 29-year-old first-time candidate from Saeroun Mirae running in Iksan Gap. He is currently enrolled at Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Administration and was a judo national team candidate during his school years before being selected as a Sambo (Russian martial art) national team member after entering Seoul National University.

The candidate with the most criminal records is Yang Jeong-mu, who also reported the highest assets. His offenses include violations of the Labor Standards Act, Minimum Wage Act, and the Act on Guarantee of Employees’ Retirement Benefits.

Jinbo Party candidate Kang Seong-hee in Jeonju-si Eul has five criminal records, including obstruction of official duties, obstruction of business, and violations of the Act on Punishment of Violent Acts (joint injury, joint trespassing, etc.). Kang, a former activist, worked at Hyundai Motor’s Jeonju plant, forming a union for irregular workers and dedicating himself to converting irregular workers to regular positions.

Additionally, Han Gi-dae of Saeroun Mirae in Namwon, Jangsu, Imsil, and Sunchang reported four offenses; independent candidate Bang Su-hyeong in Jeonju-si Gap reported two; Jeon Gi-yeop of the Liberty Democratic Party in Jeonju-si Eul reported two; and Democratic Party candidate Shin Young-dae in Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan Gap reported two offenses.