On the Last Day of the Election Law Violation Statute of Limitations, Multiple Prosecutions Including Lawmakers Kim Hong-gul and Yang Jeong-suk (Comprehensive)

Dismissal for Fines Exceeding 1 Million Won

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Baek Kyunghwan and Yoo Byungdon] Incumbent members of the National Assembly accused of violating election laws in the April 15 general election have been consecutively brought to trial. The statute of limitations for election offenses in the 21st general election expires at midnight on the 15th.

The Public Investigation Division 2 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Kwon Sangdae) announced on the same day that they have indicted Assemblyman Kim Honggeol without detention on charges of underreporting assets during the general election. Assemblyman Kim is suspected of omitting the pre-sale rights of an apartment in Godeok-dong, Seoul, worth over 1 billion KRW during the asset disclosure before the last general election, and of reducing the number of reported houses from four to three.

According to the new assembly members' asset declarations disclosed by the National Assembly Public Officials Ethics Committee, Kim's assets amounted to 6.7 billion KRW at the end of May, an increase of about 1 billion KRW compared to the time of the general election. Among these, his spouse's deposits increased from 110 million KRW at the time of the general election to 1.17 billion KRW. The Central Election Commission requested an investigation by the prosecution on the 23rd of last month, citing possible violations of the Public Official Election Act by Assemblyman Kim, and the civic group Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice also filed a complaint with the prosecution in the same month. Subsequently, Assemblyman Kim was expelled from the Democratic Party.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office also indicted independent Assemblywoman Yang Jeongsuk without detention on charges of underreporting assets (violation of the Public Official Election Act) in the April 15 general election the day before. Assemblywoman Yang, who ran as a proportional representative for the Democratic Party's satellite party, the Together Citizens' Party, is suspected of holding apartments in Gangnam-gu and Seocho-gu, Seoul, under her younger sibling's name. The Together Citizens' Party filed a complaint with the prosecution against Assemblywoman Yang on three charges: violation of election laws related to false reporting such as underreporting assets, obstruction of political party official recommendation duties, and violation of the Act on Real Name Registration of Real Estate.

The prosecution investigating the case judged that Assemblywoman Yang violated election laws. However, the obstruction of business charge was dismissed, and the violation of the Real Name Real Estate Act was dismissed due to the expiration of the statute of limitations. Under the Public Official Election Act, the crime of false statement publication is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to 30 million KRW. If a fine of 1 million KRW or more is confirmed in future trials, these assembly members will lose their seats.

Meanwhile, Assemblyman Jin Seongjun of the Democratic Party was also indicted without detention on charges of illegal pre-election campaigning by promoting his past record and achievements at a local constituency event. Independent Assemblyman Lee Sangjik was brought to trial on charges of providing traditional liquor worth about 26 million KRW to 377 constituents during his tenure as president of the Small and Medium Business Corporation last year. Additionally, Assemblyman Song Jaeho of the Democratic Party and Assemblymen Choi Chunsik, Bae Junyoung, and Hong Cheolho of the People Power Party were also indicted without detention on charges of violating election laws.

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