Chungnam Election Commission Files Complaint Against Kim Kiwoong, Seocheon County Governor, for Alleged Election Law Violations (Comprehensive)

Providing Food to Public Officials and Forcing Them to Watch Promotional Videos at Specific Venues
Spouse and Public Officials Also Reported

The Chungnam Election Commission has filed a complaint with the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office against Kim Kiwoong, the head of Seocheon County, his spouse, and a public official, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Kim is accused of providing food worth approximately 1.8 million won to about 90 people, including affiliated public officials and employees of Company A, at a restaurant operated by his spouse in mid-December 2022 and early January this year.

He is also accused of conspiring with public official B to gather about 80 public officials at a specific location he owns on 10 occasions outside of working hours in March this year, providing them with food and beverages such as alcohol and fruit, and showing them a promotional video of his achievements.

In mid-May, he allegedly provided economic benefits worth 560,000 won (80,000 won per person) to seven public officials by allowing them to use a nearby golf course at a discounted rate.

According to the Public Official Election Act, public officials are prohibited from promoting a candidate's achievements to their staff or constituents under any pretext, and from making donations to individuals, organizations, or groups within the constituency on behalf of a candidate.

A Chungnam Election Commission official said, "As the 9th nationwide local elections approach, similar illegal activities are expected to occur," and added, "Please actively report any violations of the election law to help establish a fair election culture."

Previously, the Chungnam Provincial Audit Committee referred Kim, his spouse, and public official B to the Election Commission, the competent authority, on suspicion of violating election law in relation to a private gathering of public officials, and decided to request a police investigation regarding allegations of receiving a luxury bag.