Teachers Posting Specific Candidate Promises on SNS... Incheon Election Commission Reports to Prosecutors

Two current teachers were reported to the prosecution for continuously posting specific candidates' pledges on social networking services (SNS) in relation to the 22nd National Assembly election.

The Incheon City Election Commission announced on the 9th that it reported two teachers, including Mr. A, to the prosecution on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Mr. A and others, who are public officials, are suspected of repeatedly posting files containing specific candidates' pledges or photos and cheering messages on SNS ahead of the April 10 general election.

According to the Public Official Election Act, public officials who must maintain political neutrality are prohibited from engaging in election campaigning, and they cannot use their official duties within professional organizations or groups to conduct or facilitate election campaigning.

Additionally, organizations composed of a majority of members who are not allowed to campaign must not conduct election campaigning under the name of the organization or its representative.

An official from the Incheon City Election Commission stated, "Mr. A and Mr. B, who are public officials required to maintain political neutrality, continuously posted photos related to specific candidates on SNS under the name of their affiliated organizations or personally," adding, "It is a very serious crime for public officials to be involved in or conduct election campaigning."