Waiting for the Central Election Commission's Decision
Central Election Commission "Verifying Facts"
The Green Justice Party and the Homeland Innovation Party claimed on the 23rd that Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, made a supportive speech using a microphone at the opening ceremony of Yoon Jae-ok’s floor leader election campaign office two days ago, arguing that this constitutes illegal electioneering.
They stated that since it was not the official election campaign period, using a loudspeaker at an indoor gathering violates election laws and announced plans to report the matter to the police.
Handonghun, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is greeting candidate Jeong Yongseon and citizens at the traditional market in Dangjin, Chungnam on the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim Soo-young, Senior Spokesperson of the Green Justice Party, said in a written briefing, "Chairman Han’s actions are clear electioneering," and criticized, "It is shocking that a person who holds a position responsible for the ruling party’s election and who is professionally well-versed in the law did not hesitate to engage in illegal electioneering."
He added, "In similar cases, all who were found to have expressed support for a specific candidate in the overall context of their speeches were convicted," and "The recommended penalty range for Chairman Han’s criminal act is a fine between 700,000 and 1,500,000 KRW."
He stated, "The Green Justice Party will report Chairman Han’s illegal electioneering to the police," and "Since this is a straightforward investigation, we expect a swift indictment and quick judgment."
In a commentary, Bae Su-jin, spokesperson for the Homeland Innovation Party, pointed out, "On the 21st, at the opening ceremony of Yoon Jae-ok’s campaign office, Chairman Han reportedly appealed for support by saying, ‘We must judge the Democratic Party that is rejecting public opinion,’" and "On the 22nd, at the opening ceremony of Jang Dong-hyuk’s campaign office, he also said, ‘Please send Jang Dong-hyuk back to the National Assembly.’"
He continued, "Both videos are uploaded on People Power Party TV," and demanded, "We hope the National Election Commission investigates without delay."
In response, a People Power Party official told Yonhap News Agency, "The National Election Commission has not yet determined whether this is a violation of election laws," and "We will wait for the Commission’s decision."
A National Election Commission official stated, "The Daegu City Election Commission is currently verifying the facts."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
