Suspected of Providing Holiday Gifts Worth 2.7 Million Won to 80 People
On June 19, police conducted a search and seizure at Nonsan City Hall, targeting Nonsan Mayor Baek Seonghyeon and three city officials who are suspected of violating the Public Official Election Act.
The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Chungnam Provincial Police Agency announced that on the morning of the same day, they deployed about 20 investigators to search the mayor's office and the Department of Autonomous Administration at Nonsan City Hall.
Mayor Baek and the three affiliated officials are accused of sending holiday gifts worth approximately 2.7 million won by mail to around 80 local voters in the constituency, including during Chuseok and Lunar New Year in 2023. These gifts, which included the mayor's business card, were allegedly provided using the local government budget without any legal or ordinance-based grounds.
Previously, the Chungnam Provincial Election Commission reported Mayor Baek to the police, alleging that he provided gifts to voters in the constituency during Lunar New Year and Chuseok last year without any legal basis.
A police official stated, "It is difficult to disclose specific details about the search and seizure targets or the contents of the warrant, as this is an ongoing investigation."
According to Articles 112 and 114 of the Public Official Election Act, local governments are prohibited from providing money or goods to voters or others without legal or ordinance-based grounds.
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