Election Interference and Embassy Trespassing by University Progressive Groups... Their Past Full of Reckless Moves

University Progressive Groups Protest at Oh Se-hoon Candidate's Campaign Venue
Also Trespassing at US Embassy
Former Justice Party Lawmaker Yoon So-ha 'Parcel Threat'
Former Future United Party Lawmaker Na Kyung-won's Office Also Occupied

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] On the 9th, 19 members of the Seoul National University Progressive Student Union (Seoul Dajin-yeon), who protested at the campaign site of Oh Se-hoon, the United Future Party candidate for Seoul Gwangjin-eul in the April 15 general election, were handed over to the prosecution on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act. They held protests in front of Oh's campaign office, subway stations, and other campaign locations and rally areas last April. Their placards read, "Politicians cannot always make donations," and "Let's follow the election law properly."

The reason Seoul Dajin-yeon members protested at Oh's campaign sites was that Oh had given 1.2 million won in total, between 50,000 and 100,000 won each, to five people including security guards and cleaners in the apartment where he resides during last year's and this year's Lunar New Year and Chuseok holidays. They viewed this as Oh making donations for election purposes, which they claimed violated Article 112 of the Public Official Election Act, and thus began their protests.

As Seoul Dajin-yeon disrupted the election campaign, Oh held a one-person protest in front of the Gwangjin Police Station in Seoul, criticizing the police for not taking proper action. He also posted on his Facebook, condemning police dereliction of duty and stating that he would temporarily suspend his campaign until those responsible were identified.

The police also had their reasons. The Election Commission's position was that Seoul Dajin-yeon's protests were difficult to view as violations of the election law. However, later, the Gwangjin District Election Commission judged that Seoul Dajin-yeon's protests violated Article 90 of the Public Official Election Act, which prohibits the installation of facilities related to candidates within 180 days before the election day. The Gwangjin District Election Commission sent a letter requesting suspension to Seoul Dajin-yeon and sent the same opinion to the police. Violating Article 90 of the Public Official Election Act can result in imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 4 million won.

Subsequently, the police launched an investigation into the 19 members who participated in the protests and applied for arrest warrants for three members suspected of violating the Public Official Election Act. Judge Lee Geun-soo, in charge of warrants at the Seoul Eastern District Court, issued arrest warrants for Yoo (36) and Kang (23), stating, "There is sufficient evidence for the charges, and there is a risk of flight and evidence destruction."

The police handed over Yoo, Kang, and Choi (21), whose arrest warrant was dismissed, along with 17 others who had been under non-custodial investigation, to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. Ironically, Seoul Dajin-yeon, who held placard protests urging compliance with the Public Official Election Act, is now facing charges of violating the same law.

In the past, the reckless actions of progressive student groups have also been controversial. The higher organization of Seoul Dajin-yeon, the Korean University Progressive Student Union (Daejin-yeon), climbed over the wall of the U.S. Ambassador's residence located in Jeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, last October. They then unfurled a banner reading, "Harris, who demands a fivefold increase in U.S. military support funds, leave this land," shouting slogans. Subsequently, four members of Daejin-yeon were arrested and prosecuted for illegal protests and were sentenced to one year in prison with two years of probation in court.

In June last year, Seoul Dajin-yeon also sent a 'threatening package' containing a cutter knife, a dead bird, and a note to former Justice Party lawmaker Yoon So-ha. Yoo, who was arrested for participating in the placard protest at Oh's campaign site, is on trial for leading this incident. He was released on bail with a deposit of 10 million won (5 million won in bail insurance and 5 million won in cash).

Additionally, in April last year, Daejin-yeon occupied the office of former United Future Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won. They demanded a meeting with former party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn and Na Kyung-won. When the meeting request failed, they held a sit-in protest chanting slogans such as "Hwang Kyo-ahn and Na Kyung-won should resign."

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