Suspected 'Voter Transport' by Van in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon... Police Investigation Underway

Democratic Party Candidate Jo Taeksang "Must Conduct Thorough Investigation"

During the early voting period for the 22nd general election, a report was received that an unidentified man in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, was giving voters rides to early voting stations in a van, prompting the police to launch an investigation.

The Ganghwa Police Station in Incheon announced on the 8th that Mr. A is under preliminary investigation for violating the Public Official Election Act. Mr. A is suspected of transporting elderly voters by van to the Songhae-myeon polling station and the Ganghwa-eup polling station in Ganghwa-gun between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. on the 6th.

Under the Public Official Election Act, transporting voters by vehicle to polling stations for the purpose of voting or election is considered bribery and inducement.

The police received a 112 report on the 6th stating, "There is a vehicle giving rides to elderly people to the polling station," and are verifying Mr. A’s identity. A police official stated, "We are checking whether the vehicle owner and the driver are the same person through vehicle registration inquiries," and added, "We plan to investigate the exact circumstances of the incident."

On the 6th, elderly voters appeared to be getting off a yellow van near the early voting station in Songhae-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon. [Image source=Yonhap News/ Democratic Party candidate Jo Taeksang's campaign]

Meanwhile, related to this, Cho Taeksang, the Democratic Party candidate running in the district, held a press conference at the Ganghwa-gun election office on the morning of the same day, urging a thorough police investigation.

Candidate Cho stated, "Around 8:10 a.m. at the Songhae-myeon polling station and around 8:50 a.m. at the Ganghwa-eup polling station on the 6th, scenes were captured of a yellow van dropping off 3 to 4 elderly people respectively," and added, "There are numerous reports that the vehicle was also spotted at other polling stations, so not only should the Election Commission investigate, but the truth must be clearly revealed through a strict investigation.”

Candidate Cho also said, "Ganghwa-gun is known to have, in past elections, openly provided transportation for the convenience of the elderly and disabled voters in an organized manner, along with offering meals and entertainment," and demanded, "The Election Commission should implement special management and preventive measures against illegal elections, as there are concerns about illegal activities targeting voters with mobility difficulties."