Reported as if the Alumni Association Supported a Specific Candidate
The Chungcheongnam-do Election Commission announced on the 16th that it has reported journalist A to the police for publishing false information related to the by-election for Asan Mayor.
On the second day of early voting for the Asan mayoral by-election, which was last month on the 29th, A is accused of reporting in his online newspaper that the alumni association of a local high school had officially endorsed a particular candidate.
According to the election commission, neither the alumni association nor its president had endorsed the candidate in question.
According to the Public Official Election Act, anyone who manages or operates a newspaper and reports false information with the intent of getting a specific candidate elected can be sentenced to up to seven years in prison or fined between 5 million and 30 million won.
The Chungnam Election Commission stated, "False or distorted reporting by the media can have a significant impact on elections, so strict measures are necessary."
Meanwhile, the article in question has since been deleted.
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