Local Assembly Member Who Secretly Recorded Conversations with Fellow Lawmakers Sent to Prosecution

Prosecution Opinion for Violation of the Communications Privacy Protection Act, Transferred Without Detention

Local councilor A, who is accused of secretly recording and distributing conversations of fellow council members, has been referred to the prosecution. B, the head of a civic group accused of publishing the recorded content, was also handed over to the prosecution on the same charges.

On the 18th, the Seocheon Police Station in Chungnam sent Councilor A and B to the prosecution without detention on charges of violating the Communications Privacy Protection Act.

According to a comprehensive report by Asia Economy, Councilor A is suspected of secretly recording conversations among fellow council members during a meal in September 2023.

B is accused of posting the recordings made by A on the local government’s website bulletin board and the civic group’s internet cafe.

Based on the recordings, B reportedly posted on the internet cafe that “the chairperson said to the residents attending the rally, ‘They babbled,’ and said, ‘That XX should never work in the local community again.’ What kind of X council member are these people?”

In a phone interview with a reporter, B stated, “Since the council members used business promotion expenses to pay for the meal, I issued a statement based on public interest judgment regarding official matters. Announcing something for the public good is not a crime. I will faithfully explain this in court and prove my innocence.”

This matter came to light after fellow council member C filed a complaint with the police in September last year.

Regarding this, Councilor A said, “I have nothing to say. I am sorry.”

A police official said, “We cannot disclose the identity or investigation details of those accused of violating the Communications Privacy Protection Act,” adding, “They were sent to the prosecution without detention with a recommendation for indictment.”