Park Sun-hwa, Buyeo County Council Member, Sued for Defamation by Chungnam Provincial Council Member... "1 Billion Won Used in Jeong Jin-seok's Election"

"Spreading Clear False Information Severely Damages Reputation and Greatly Influences Election"
Provincial Assembly Member Kim Gi-seo: "Everything Will Be Revealed Through Investigation by Authorities"

Asia Economy DB

Park Soon-hwa, a member of the Buyeo County Council in Chungnam from the People Power Party, announced on the 5th that she has filed a police complaint against Kim Ki-seo, a member of the Chungnam Provincial Council from the Democratic Party, on charges of defamation.

According to Asia Economy's investigation, around March 29, Kim reportedly made an unverified statement to Jo Gil-yeon, secretary to the chairman of the provincial council, at the council office located in Dongnam-ri, Buyeo County, saying, "Councilor Park used 100 million won for Jeong Jin-seok's election."

Councilor Park stated, "I have never personally spent any amount for candidate Jeong Jin-seok in this election," and added, "I requested a thorough investigation by the authorities to determine whether this was Kim's original statement or if it was a rumor heard from a third party that was spread without verifying the facts."

She further said, "As a current provincial council member, even if Kim heard the story from a third party, she is in a position to verify the facts and is a politician fully aware of the potential impact of her words and actions during an election," adding, "The dissemination of clear false information has severely damaged my reputation and is having a significant impact on this election."

In response, Councilor Kim told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "I heard a rumor and said it when I was alone with Secretary Jo Gil-yeon, the chairman's secretary," and added, "Since it is during the election period, I cannot say more details, but everything will be revealed through the investigation by the authorities."