Nonsan City Council Members Put Up Chuseok Banners Using Council Budget... Election Commission Investigates

Jangdang 50,000 won per banner, 80 banners in total under Chairman Cho Yonghun and lawmakers' names
Election Commission: "Violation of Public Official Election Act and Political Funds Act... Request for removal"

The National Election Commission is investigating members of the Nonsan City Council in South Chungcheong Province on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act.

The Nonsan City Election Commission announced on the 6th that it plans to investigate all 13 members of the Nonsan City Council for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act.

According to coverage by Asia Economy, the city council members put up banners in the region ahead of the Chuseok holiday with the message, "Happy Hangawi, Nonsan City Council supports you," listing the names of the council members.

In addition, Council Chair Cho Yonghun attached his own photo to a banner with the message, "Have a Happy Hangawi," and displayed it.

It is reported that the Nonsan City Council used taxpayers' money to post 40 banners each in the name of Chair Cho and the council members, at 50,000 won per banner, totaling 80 banners in the region.

The Public Official Election Act stipulates that banners mentioning council members by name or including the chair's photo cannot be posted using council funds.

An official from the Nonsan Election Commission said, "The banners posted in the district under the names of the city council chair and members were found to violate the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act, so we have requested their removal," adding, "We plan to investigate the council members."