Ahn Gwi-ryeong, Chairman of the Democratic Party Dobong-gap, Sent to Prosecution on Election Law Violation Charges

Using Microphone for Campaigning Outside Election Period... Violation of Law
Election Commission Issues 'Severe Warning' Regarding Remarks at Singing Class
Currently Serving as Dobong-gap District Chair After Losing 22nd General Election Candidacy

Anguiryeong, the Democratic Party of Korea's Dobong-gap district committee chairman, was referred to the prosecution on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act during the 22nd general election.

Seoul Dobong Police Station announced on the 1st that Chairman An, who is suspected of violating election laws, was sent to the prosecution on the 28th. According to the police, Chairman An is accused of effectively conducting election campaigning twice using a microphone outside the official election campaign period.

On March 6, Chairman An visited the Elderly Culture Center in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul, wearing election campaign clothes and holding a microphone, saying, "I have come as the Democratic Party candidate this time. I will work hard in Dobong-gu from now on." On the 16th of the same month, he attended the opening ceremony of the election office for Oh Ki-hyung, the Democratic Party candidate for Dobong-eul, and said, "I believe Representative Oh Ki-hyung is truly a worker needed in Dobong," adding, "I also want to become like that. Dobong-gap and Dobong-eul will become one team to fight against the reckless Yoon Seok-yeol administration. I ask everyone to join us."

Article 59 of the Public Official Election Act prohibits election campaigning using loudspeakers such as microphones outside the official election campaign period. Later, when a video was released showing Chairman An attending a local singing class, holding a microphone, saying "Please take good care of me," and then singing, the Election Commission issued a 'stern warning.' Since Chairman An was wearing election campaign clothes at the time, the statement was judged to be interpretable as election campaigning.

Meanwhile, Chairman An ran for the Seoul Dobong-gap seat in the 22nd general election but was defeated, and he currently serves as the Dobong-gap district committee chairman. The incumbent member of the National Assembly for Dobong-gap is Kim Jae-seop of the People Power Party, who defeated Chairman An. The election of a conservative party candidate in Dobong-gap was the first in 16 years.