Chungnam Election Commission Reports Three Including Public Officials for Illegal Donations and Submission of False Documents

Promotional Items Worth About 700,000 Won Provided to Approximately 250 Local Residents

The Chungnam Provincial Election Commission announced on May 8 that it had reported two public officials and the president of Organization A, among a total of three individuals, to the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office on May 7 on charges including illegal donation activities and submission of false documents to voters in the constituency.

According to the Chungnam Election Commission, these individuals, affiliated with Local Government B, are accused of providing promotional items worth approximately 700,000 won without legal grounds to about 250 local residents and others during an event related to corporate attraction held at the government office building at the end of February.

They are also alleged to have arbitrarily manipulated related documents and submitted them falsely to the Election Commission, and to have displayed 20 banners within the jurisdiction promoting the achievements of the local government head.

According to Articles 85, 86, 114, and 272-2 of the Public Official Election Act, public officials are prohibited from making donations without legal grounds or promoting the achievements of local government heads in a way that could influence elections.

In addition, failing to comply with the Election Commission’s request for document submission or submitting false documents is also prohibited.

An official from the Chungnam Election Commission stated, "Illegal election involvement by abusing the status of a public official is a serious violation that severely undermines the fairness and freedom of elections," and added, "Strict measures are necessary to establish a sound election culture."