Prosecution Reindicts Jung Junho in Dismissed Election Law Violation Case

Jung says, "Statute of limitations already expired... Hard to understand"

Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office. Photo by Song Bohyun

The prosecution has re-indicted Democratic Party lawmaker Jung Junho (Gwangju Buk-gu Gap) for violating the Public Official Election Act, after his previous indictment was dismissed for violating the Prosecutors' Office Act.

The Public Investigation Division of the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office (headed by Seo Youngbae) announced on the 12th that Jung and two others were re-indicted on the 7th for violating the Public Official Election Act and the Political Funds Act.

Jung and the others are accused of hiring 12 telephone campaigners to conduct electioneering via text messages and phone calls during the party primary for the April 10 general election last year. They are also accused of promising the CEO of a construction company to hire his daughter as an aide after winning the election and receiving 50 million won in political funds.

However, during the trial, it was revealed that the prosecutor who initiated the investigation also filed the indictment, leading the court to dismiss the case for violating the Prosecutors' Office Act. Instead of appealing, the prosecution re-indicted Jung on the same charges.

A prosecution official stated, "We respected the court's first-instance ruling and immediately re-indicted to handle the election case swiftly and prevent a gap in punishment," adding, "The charges remain unchanged." Regarding the statute of limitations, the official explained, "According to the Criminal Procedure Act, the statute resumes from the time of dismissal, so there is no issue."

In response, Jung said, "It is difficult to understand why the prosecution has re-indicted when the statute of limitations has already expired," adding, "I will respond diligently in court to ensure a legal conclusion is reached that the statute of limitations has been completed."