Prosecutors Detain Gunsan Disabled Sports Association Official Who Assisted Lawmaker Shin Young-dae's Primary Election Campaign

Distortion of Primary Election Polls Using Over 100 Mobile Phones

[Image source=Yonhap News]

An official from the Gunsan Disabled Sports Association who assisted Shin Young-dae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, in his election campaign has been arrested on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office announced on the 22nd that former Secretary-General A of the Gunsan Disabled Sports Association was detained on charges including violation of the Public Official Election Act and obstruction of business.

A is accused of opening over 100 mobile phones for use in primary election opinion poll responses to help Shin's election in the recent general election and of distorting the opinion polls.

Shin won the party nomination by defeating his competitor, former lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom, in the primary opinion poll conducted from March 4 to 6. The margin was only around 1 percentage point.

Shin is under investigation for involvement in preferential corruption related to the Saemangeum solar power project. During the investigation into Shin's bribery charges on June 28, the prosecution seized over 100 mobile phones from A's residence.