Due to COVID-19... Election Offenses in the 21st General Election Decreased by 15% Compared to the 20th

As of D-30, 20th General Election (611 members) → 21st (520 members), a 14.9% decrease

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seok-jin] With less than a month remaining until the April 15 general election, it has been revealed that the number of election-related criminal cases for the 21st National Assembly election has decreased compared to the previous general election.

This is understood to be due to the reduction in face-to-face election campaigns between candidates and constituents as the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spread.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 19th, as of the 16th, 30 days before the general election, the number of suspects booked for National Assembly election-related crimes was 520, a 14.9% decrease compared to the same period during the 20th election held in 2016 (611 suspects).

However, the number of suspects booked for election crimes in this general election increased by 28% compared to the same period during the 19th election (406 suspects) and by 242% compared to the 18th election (152 suspects).

Meanwhile, regarding the increase in cyber election crimes such as black propaganda, manipulation of public opinion, and dissemination of false information online, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, under the direction of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol on the 11th, sent official letters to local prosecutors' offices instructing strict measures against ▲ personal attacks and slanderous acts that fabricate facts without basis to defame opponents ▲ organized groups, forces, or supporter gatherings spreading false information through SNS and other means ▲ dissemination of false or distorted public opinion poll results.

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