Park Yong-chul (59), the People Power Party candidate running in the October 26 by-election for Ganghwa County Governor in Incheon, has been indicted for illegal election campaigning during the April 10 general election.
The Criminal Division 6 of the Incheon District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Choi Jong-pil) announced on the 30th that Park was indicted without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act on the 27th. Park is accused of campaigning by visiting voters' homes ahead of the April 10 general election.
The Public Official Election Act prohibits election campaigning by directly visiting voters' homes. Violations can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 6 million won.
Park's camp stated, "At the time, the candidate was a sitting city council member visiting key party officials to listen to public opinion, and did not wear campaign uniforms or hand out business cards," adding, "We view this as different in nature from the 'door-to-door visits' restricted by the Public Official Election Act."
Meanwhile, four candidates have registered for the Ganghwa County Governor by-election: Park Yong-chul, Han Yeon-hee (65) of the Democratic Party, and independents Ahn Sang-soo (78) and Kim Byung-yeon (52).
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