The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on December 8 that it had investigated election law violations related to the 21st presidential election, which was held on June 3, and referred 85 individuals involved in 81 cases to the prosecution.
According to the agency, there were a total of 223 cases and 237 individuals involved in investigations related to the presidential election.
By type of crime, the breakdown is as follows: 168 individuals (70.9%) for damaging banners and posters, 22 (9.3%) for spreading false information, 7 (2.9%) for election-related violence, 3 (1.3%) for providing money or valuables, and 3 (1.3%) for distributing printed materials.
Comparison Table of Investigation Status for the 19th, 20th, and 21st Presidential Elections. Provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency
Compared to the 20th presidential election held in 2022, the number of individuals investigated increased by 114, and compared to the 19th presidential election in 2017, it increased by 116.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency analyzed that the main reasons for the increase in election law violations were that, following revisions to the Prosecution Service Act and other laws, the police are now responsible for investigating most major election crimes, and that, since the martial law crisis in December of last year, social unrest and political polarization have led to a 2.7-fold increase in crimes related to the damaging of banners and posters compared to the 20th presidential election.
An official from the agency stated, "We will continue to conduct thorough investigations in accordance with the law and principles to ensure the establishment of a clean and fair election culture."
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