The police have launched a compulsory investigation into former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is suspected of engaging in illegal electioneering.
Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is making a denunciation speech at the rally opposing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol held in front of Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News
According to Hwang's YouTube channel and the police on October 24, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted a search and seizure of officials from the "Anti-Election Fraud and Corruption Task Force" (referred to as the Task Force), led by Hwang, and secured their mobile phones. Although the Task Force officials are being treated as witnesses, it is understood that their phones were seized to investigate the allegations against Hwang.
Hwang is suspected of using the nationwide organization of the Task Force for his election campaign when he ran as an independent candidate in the 21st presidential election. According to the Public Official Election Act, organizations established or operated by a political party or candidate are prohibited from engaging in activities that could influence the election starting 180 days before the election day.
The police believe that Hwang and the Task Force engaged in electioneering by organizing rallies. In addition, Hwang is accused of creating public opinion as if election fraud had occurred by receiving reports on "suspected cases of election fraud" and other activities from Task Force members selected as early voting observers and posting this information on social media platforms.
On August 20, the police also searched the Task Force office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and secured internal materials such as PCs and documents. On the same day, Hwang claimed on YouTube, "This is a targeted investigation against me, and since there is no evidence, they are conducting a fishing expedition."
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