Recusal Motion for Investigators by Hwang Kyo-ahn's Team on 'Illegal Electioneering Allegations' Dismissed

The team of former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who is under police investigation for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, filed a motion to recuse two investigators in charge of the case, but it was not accepted.

Yonhap News Agency

According to police on November 7, the motion for recusal filed by Hwang's team against two officers from the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency was dismissed. A police official explained, "We determined that the motion was intended to delay the investigation, given that the statute of limitations for prosecution under the Public Official Election Act is imminent, so it was not accepted."

Earlier, Hwang's legal representative, attorney Park Juhyun, stated via social networking services (SNS) the previous day that the motion for recusal was filed on grounds of alleged illegal investigative attempts by the police, including deception and unlawful conduct during the search and seizure process.

Hwang is suspected of using the nationwide organization of the Anti-Election Fraud and Corruption Task Force (Bubangdae) for his campaign activities when he ran as an independent candidate in the 21st presidential election. The Public Official Election Act prohibits organizations established or operated by political parties or candidates from engaging in activities that may influence the election starting 180 days before the election day.

In May, the National Election Commission filed a complaint against Hwang and Bubangdae on charges of establishing a similar organization under the election law, interfering with or disrupting ballot counting, among others.

On August 20, the police conducted a search and seizure of the Bubangdae office in Yongsan-gu, securing internal materials such as computers and documents.