Jeonnam Police Crack Down on a Total of 84 Election Offenders in the 21st National Assembly Election

Formation of 270-Member Special Investigation Team for Election Offenses, Strict Crackdown Planned

62 Cases and 84 Individuals Investigated → 3 Prosecuted and Referred

Considering 6-Month Statute of Limitations for Election Offenses, Swift a

Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency building exterior

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] The Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 16th that it conducted strict crackdowns on election-related offenses to ensure that the ‘21st National Assembly election’ is held cleanly and fairly, arresting a total of 84 people and referring 3 for prosecution by election day.

Since December 16 last year, the Jeonnam police formed a ‘Special Investigation Team for Election Offenses’ consisting of 270 members, and from February 13, they operated an ‘Election Offense Investigation Situation Room’ at 22 police stations across Jeonnam.

In particular, for the five major election crimes that seriously undermine the fairness of elections?① money politics, ② false election statements, ③ involvement of public officials in elections, ④ illegal mobilization of groups, and ⑤ election violence?the ‘zero tolerance principle’ was applied to carry out strict crackdowns.

Looking at the types of crackdowns during the 21st general election, △ 22 people (29.7%) for ‘false election statements’ such as dissemination of false information, △ 17 people (22.9%) for ‘damage to banners and posters,’ △ 14 people (18.9%) for ‘money politics’ such as donation activities, △ 9 people (12.1%) for ‘pre-election’ activities before the official campaign period, and △ 8 people (10.8%) for ‘distribution of printed materials’ such as illegal distribution of business cards and leaflets were recorded in order.

Compared to the ‘20th National Assembly election (held on April 13, 2016),’ the total number of crackdowns decreased by 26 people (23.6%↓) with most types showing a decline; however, crackdowns on damage to banners and posters (13 people↑, 325.0%↑) and pre-election activities (5 people↑, 55.5%↑) increased.

A representative of the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency stated, “Considering that the statute of limitations for election offenses is short at six months, ongoing investigations will be handled swiftly and fairly,” and added, “Even after election day, we plan to strengthen intelligence gathering and crackdowns on illegal acts such as providing money or goods under the pretexts of congratulations, consolation, or return gifts.”

He continued, “We will continue to thoroughly investigate election crimes according to legal procedures regardless of election outcomes and do our best to establish a clean and fair election culture.”

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