Chungnam Election Commission Files Complaint Against County Governor Kim Kiwoong for Election Law Violation
Shin Youngho, Chungnam Provincial Councilor, and Lee Jihye, Seocheon County Councilor, Also Accused of Violations
Residents Say "Seocheon Has Become a Laughingstock"
From the left, Kiwoong Kim, Seocheon County Governor; Youngho Shin, Chungnam Provincial Councilor; Jihye Lee, Seocheon County Councilor
The local community in Seocheon County, Chungnam, is in turmoil as the county head and local council members affiliated with the People Power Party are facing consecutive charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and other laws.
According to a compilation of reports by Asia Economy on the 10th, Seocheon County Head Kim Kiwung, Chungnam Provincial Council member Shin Youngho, and Seocheon County Council member Lee Jihye are either on trial or under prosecution investigation for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act and the Protection of Communications Secrets Act.
The Chungnam Election Commission reported Seocheon County Head Kim Kiwung to the prosecution on June 9 for allegedly violating the Public Official Election Act.
Kim is accused of inviting civil servants affiliated with the county office to a restaurant operated by his spouse and to his private villa, providing them with food and promoting his achievements.
He is also accused of providing economic benefits worth about 560,000 won by allowing seven civil servants to use a golf course at a discounted rate.
Previously, the prosecution indicted Chungnam Provincial Council member Shin Youngho without detention for allegedly violating the Public Official Election Act by installing illegal banners during the 22nd National Assembly election.
Shin is accused of illegally installing an election banner for the then People Power Party candidate Jang Donghyuk in front of a polling station in Pangyo-myeon, Seocheon County, on April 10, the day of the 22nd general election.
On June 28, police referred Seocheon County Council member Lee Jihye to the prosecution without detention, with a recommendation for indictment, for allegedly violating the Protection of Communications Secrets Act by secretly recording and distributing conversations of fellow council members.
With the county head and local council members of the People Power Party now awaiting judicial decisions, the local community is unsettled. In particular, the fact that the county head, who should be upholding discipline among public officials, has brought disgrace to the entire public sector is causing significant repercussions.
Resident A commented, "County Head Kim has repeatedly said, 'What did I do wrong? The media and certain groups are reporting maliciously.' But if there was no wrongdoing, would the Election Commission have filed a complaint? Kim should apologize to the residents."
Resident B criticized, "Kim promised to develop Seocheon, but instead has turned it into a corrupt region and made Seocheon a laughingstock to the entire nation. I doubt whether he can continue to perform his duties as county head."
A public official stated, "Since Kim took office, it has been tough as he tried to line up the public sector. He only listened to and depended on certain individuals, and this is the result. It's unfortunate that he still cannot grasp the situation and continues to listen only to certain groups."
Another public official said, "He drove the staff into a corner, so who would listen to him now? I think Kim's lame-duck period will only accelerate."
Meanwhile, police are also investigating suspicions regarding luxury bag gifts received by Kim's spouse.
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