Police Search Church Over Candidate Interview Before Busan Superintendent By-election

The police have conducted a search and seizure of the office of Pastor A, affiliated with Saegye-ro Church, who is suspected of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act in connection with the April 2 Busan Superintendent of Education by-election.

According to the police on May 12, the Anti-Corruption and Public Crime Investigation Division of the Busan Metropolitan Police Agency carried out the search and seizure at Saegye-ro Church on charges of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act. This investigation follows the receipt of a complaint from the Busan Metropolitan Election Commission on April 10.

During the April 2 Busan Superintendent of Education by-election, Pastor A of the church and Jung Seungyun, who was a candidate for Busan Superintendent of Education at the time, are accused of filming an interview inside the church and posting it on social networking services (SNS) and other platforms. The Public Official Election Act prohibits religious organizations or their members from engaging in election campaigning. In addition, it has been reported that the video was filmed before the official election campaign period, raising concerns of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act and other regulations.

The head pastor of this church also led rallies against impeachment organized by Protestant groups during the political crisis surrounding impeachment.