Police Refer Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn to Prosecution on Election Law Violation Charges

Obstruction of Voting Operations and Intimidation of Early Voting Supervisors

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has been referred to the prosecution on charges of conducting illegal electioneering during the 21st presidential election held in June.

According to the police and other sources on the 26th, the Public Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency recently referred Hwang to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office without detention on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. The Election Fraud and Corruption Prevention Task Force (Bubangdae), which Hwang leads, was also referred on the same charges.

Hwang is accused of illegally using the nationwide network of the Bubangdae, which he heads, for electioneering while running as an independent candidate in the 21st presidential election.

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn attends as a defense attorney for President Yoon Suk-yeol at the 7th impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on February 11, 2025. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

Previously, in May, the National Election Commission filed a complaint against Hwang and the Bubangdae for allegedly obstructing voting operations in an organized manner and intimidating early voting supervisors, citing violations of the Public Official Election Act.

The police have been investigating on the grounds that Hwang sought to raise his public profile and promote his campaign pledges by utilizing the Bubangdae's nationwide network while running in the 21st presidential election. In particular, the police concluded that Hwang planned for the Bubangdae to engage in activities that could influence the election.

Meanwhile, in August and October, the police conducted searches and seizures at the Bubangdae office and the residences of related individuals, focusing on securing evidence. In contrast, Hwang has claimed that the investigation constitutes political persecution and insists that the police probe is unlawful.

Specifically, Hwang's side argued that the police lured a witness under false pretenses by fabricating a 'vehicle collision' during the search and seizure process, and executed an illegal warrant, subsequently filing a motion to dismiss certain investigators. However, the police dismissed the motion, viewing it as an attempt to delay the investigation.