Democratic Party Gyeongnam Provincial Party Accuses Provincial Assembly Leadership Election of Bribery Suspicion

Amid allegations that lawmakers running as candidates ahead of the second half leadership election of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council distributed cash and gifts, the Gyeongnam Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea has submitted a complaint to the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.

On the 3rd, the Gyeongnam Provincial Chapter of the Democratic Party announced that it had filed a complaint against two provincial council members implicated in the allegations, accusing them of bribery.

The chapter stated, "We received a report that, ahead of the council leadership election, one candidate distributed pork gift sets to dozens of fellow council members and also sent eel gift sets by courier to about ten council members."

They added, "Based on the report, we conducted our own investigation and secured information on the sender, recipient addresses, courier company details, tracking numbers, and photographic evidence," and continued, "We have submitted a complaint requesting a thorough and swift investigation and punishment."

A representative of the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongnam Provincial Party is filing a complaint with the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.
[Photo by Democratic Party of Korea Gyeongnam Provincial Party]

The chapter further stated, "This is not just the deviation of a few individual candidates, but a deeply rooted practice within the provincial council, involving both the leadership election candidates and all People Power Party council members," and insisted, "A full-scale investigation of all People Power Party council members is necessary."

The council members implicated in the allegations have reportedly strongly denied ever distributing such items.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Council is composed of 60 members from the People Power Party and 4 from the Democratic Party. In the second half leadership election held this month, all positions?including the chairperson, two vice-chairpersons, and seven standing committee chairpersons?were won by People Power Party members.