The former mayor and the former second deputy mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam, have been brought to trial on charges of raising illegal political funds ahead of the 2022 nationwide local elections.
On August 12, the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office announced that former Mayor Hong Nampyo, former Second Deputy Mayor Cho Myeongrae, and election campaign officials identified as A and B, have each been indicted on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
Twelve individuals, including C, who donated political funds under the pretext of election expenses, have also been summarily indicted on the same charges.
According to prosecutors, former Mayor Hong and former Second Deputy Mayor Cho, in collusion with A and B, are accused of receiving a total of 353 million won in illegal political funds from C and 11 others under the guise of election expenses ahead of the June 1, 2022 local elections.
B is also accused of paying 42 million won on behalf of former Mayor Hong for campaign office operating expenses and activity costs, and of covering 29.56 million won for the security deposit and monthly rent of an office used for former Second Deputy Mayor Cho's National Assembly election campaign activities.
Additional charges have been brought against former Mayor Hong and former Second Deputy Mayor Cho for receiving these funds as donations.
Prosecutors also determined that B and former Second Deputy Mayor Cho violated the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act by exchanging a total of 10.37 million won for the monthly rent and brokerage fees of Cho's officetel.
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