Hampyeong County Mayor Candidate A Accused of Offering Bribes, Local Community in Turmoil

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Ahead of the Democratic Party primary for the by-election for the mayor of Hampyeong-gun, Jeollanam-do, held alongside the April 15 National Assembly election, allegations have arisen that one prospective candidate provided money and goods to local residents, causing unrest in the local community.

Moreover, since this by-election is taking place due to the previous Hampyeong-gun mayor being ousted over money-related issues, controversy is expected at this stage before the primary.

On the 1st, Democratic Party Hampyeong-gun mayoral candidates Kim Seongchan and Jeong Munho held an emergency press conference, stating, “A voter who received money and goods from candidate A has made a conscience declaration and formally reported the matter to the Jeonnam Election Commission,” adding, “There is growing public opinion that money politics must be eradicated.”

They continued, “The people of Hampyeong-gun desire a policy-focused election free from money politics that causes political apathy and disgust,” and emphasized, “Through this election, the Democratic Party’s trust and honor must be restored.”

They also stressed, “A prompt and strict investigation into the reported incident is necessary, and the candidate in question should be excluded from the primary.”

In response, candidate A firmly denies having provided any money or goods.

Candidate A told this publication in a phone interview, “Around last Chuseok last year, I visited patient C with my in-law B,” and added, “I happened to be nearby on some business, and since my in-law said C was an acquaintance, I purely went to visit the patient; there was no handing over of money.”

Regarding this, B, candidate A’s in-law, issued a statement on social media on the 29th of last month, claiming that the money provided was a personal consolation gift.

In the statement, B said, “Upon hearing that C was hospitalized after injuring his hand while working at a factory, I visited to offer consolation money of 100,000 won and left,” adding, “A few days later, since I was near the hospital where C was admitted with my in-law, I stopped by to offer further consolation and personally handed over an envelope when my in-law stepped away.”

B further explained, “Considering the human relationship with C’s father and social conventions, it was merely a consolation gift with no other intent,” and clarified, “At that time, my in-law had never discussed running for mayor and was a private individual not yet registered as a prospective candidate.”

Meanwhile, it is known that C reported to the Jeonnam Election Commission that he received 100,000 won from candidate A’s side and, a few days later, an envelope containing 300,000 won, accusing them of violating election laws by providing money and goods.

In a phone call with this publication, C expressed difficulty in speaking and said only, “I’m sorry.”

In relation to this, on the 28th of last month, a national petition titled “We request a thorough and prompt investigation by the Election Commission into the money politics allegations in the Hampyeong-gun mayoral by-election” was also posted.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.