Jang Ye-chan, a former Supreme Youth Committee member of the People Power Party who ran as an independent candidate in the April 10 general election and lost, was summoned by the police on suspicion of receiving Super Chat (donations) during his personal YouTube broadcast.
Jang Ye-chan, former Supreme Youth Committee Member of the People Power Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 15th, the Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul announced that they had summoned and were investigating former Supreme Youth Committee member Jang on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
Jang, who was the Supreme Youth Committee member of the People Power Party last August, has been suspected of raising funds from viewers using the Super Chat feature during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel 'Jang Ye-chan TV.' Super Chat refers to YouTube viewers donating a certain amount of money through chat. It is reported that viewers sent Super Chats ranging from as little as 2,000 won to as much as 100,000 won to former Supreme Youth Committee member Jang at the time.
The National Election Commission views that if a politician generates revenue through a YouTube channel established for political activities, it may constitute a violation of the Political Funds Act.
After a past controversy over offensive remarks led to the cancellation of his nomination by the People Power Party, Jang ran as an independent candidate in the Busan Suyeong electoral district but lost, finishing in third place.
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