Controversy Over Public Officials' Involvement and Image Promotion
Video Deleted, but Allegations of Preliminary Election Campaigning Remain
Kim Kiwoong, the governor of Seocheon County in South Chungcheong Province, who is currently under police investigation for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, is now facing suspicions of engaging in preliminary election campaigning. It has also been pointed out that Seocheon County Office employees have become implicated in alleged violations of the election law during this process, fueling controversy.
According to a comprehensive report by The Asia Business Daily on the 28th, Seocheon County produced a promotional video for the "Liriope Festival" in September, in which Governor Kim appeared in a leading role. It has been confirmed that county office employees participated in the planning, filming, and editing of the video.
In the video, Governor Kim appears alongside public officials, exchanging scripted lines. Subtitles such as "Liriope Ajae" and "Liriope Ajussi is back again~ It's me, Yeoung~" are inserted throughout the video.
As a result, there are criticisms that the video focused more on promoting Governor Kim's personal image and achievements rather than simply providing information about a local festival.
The "Liriope Festival" is a major local event that Seocheon County has held since Governor Kim took office, with an investment of approximately 800 million won.
Due to this, suspicions have been raised that the festival promotion was used as a pretext to highlight the governor's personal achievements right before the election.
In particular, as it became known that public officials led the composition of scenes and placement of subtitles centered on Governor Kim throughout the video production process, suspicions of violating the Public Official Election Act have also emerged.
The Public Official Election Act prohibits local government heads and public officials from using their positions to influence elections, and also forbids them from participating in the production of promotional content that raises the recognition or favorability of a specific individual.
Currently, the video has been deleted from the Seocheon County Office YouTube channel following sanctions imposed by the Seocheon County Election Commission.
A local resident commented, "Although the video was dressed up as festival promotion, its substance was entirely about boosting the governor's image for the election. If public officials were mobilized to produce it, it cannot be seen as a simple mistake. There is a clear possibility of election interference."
In response, a county official explained, "We referred to a video produced by a local government in North Chungcheong Province," adding, "The governor only appeared in the video for festival promotion purposes."
Meanwhile, the South Chungcheong Provincial Police Agency is currently investigating a case reported by the South Chungcheong Election Commission in September of last year, in which Governor Kim and two others were accused of providing food to affiliated public officials and promoting his own achievements.
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