Democratic Party Seocheon Members: "Prosecution Intentionally Neglecting Seocheon Governor Case"

"Investigation Stalled for Two Years, Undermining Voters' Right to Decide"

Members of the Democratic Party local council and party members in Seocheon County, Chungnam, held a press conference in front of the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office on the 12th, urging the prosecution to promptly handle the case of Kim Kiwoong, the Seocheon County Governor, regarding violations of the Public Official Election Act. Photo by Lee Byung-ryul

Regarding the alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act by Kim Kiwoong, the Seocheon County Governor from the People Power Party, local councilors and party members of the Democratic Party in Seocheon County on the 12th urged the prosecution to take immediate action, stating, "It is a clear case of dereliction of duty for the prosecution to hold onto the case without doing anything."

On this day, the Democratic Party's Seocheon County councilors and local party members held a press conference in front of the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office, asserting, "It has been more than five months since the case of Kim Kiwoong's election law violation was handed over to the prosecution, yet no action has been taken. This is not a simple delay, but intentional neglect."

Previously, in September 2024, the Chungnam Election Commission reported Governor Kim and two others to the prosecution on charges of preliminary election campaigning and illegal donations. The Chungnam Provincial Police Agency conducted investigations for ten months before transferring the case to the prosecution.

They criticized, "Although Governor Kim's case has been reported by national media and the controversy has grown, the prosecution continues to delay, failing to decide whether to indict."

They further pointed out, "Cases involving violations of the Public Official Election Act should be handled swiftly according to the '6·3·3 principle.' While cases involving members of the National Assembly or other local government heads are prosecuted quickly, only Governor Kim's case remains stalled."

In particular, they argued, "With the local elections scheduled for June 3, the prosecution's delay has left an issue that should serve as a standard for voters' judgment in limbo. If this continues, a by-election may be required due to invalidation of the election after the vote, causing a vacuum in county administration."

They went on to demand: ▲ immediate indictment in Governor Kim Kiwoong's case ▲ a public apology from the prosecution for the delay ▲ and swift court proceedings.

They declared, "If our demands are not met, we will file complaints against all prosecutors responsible for neglecting the case with the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the Board of Audit and Inspection on charges of dereliction of duty."

They also stated, "We will continue to hold the prosecution accountable for its silence through protests at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, nationwide civil society solidarity, and additional press conferences. The prosecution has repeatedly submitted to power and capital, distorting, biasing, concealing, and condoning cases. Show us what equality before the law truly means through your actions."