Investigation Launched After Defamatory Leaflets Against Preliminary Candidate Circulate in Gunwi, Gyeongbuk
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Ahead of the nationwide simultaneous local elections, leaflets defaming a specific candidate circulated in Gunwi-gun, Gyeongbuk, prompting the police to launch an investigation.
According to the campaign team of Kim Jin-yeol, the People Power Party's preliminary candidate for Gunwi-gun governor, since the 26th of last month, leaflets defaming candidate Kim have been indiscriminately distributed around Gunwi-eup, leading them to file a complaint with the Gunwi Police Station and the Gunwi Election Commission.
The leaflets contained a drawing of a bat along with the claim that "Candidate Kim was active in a specific party but applied for nomination from another party depending on the election results."
About 100 leaflets were found at the Gunwi National Sports Center and major roads.
Candidate Kim's team argued that the contents of the leaflets were baseless black propaganda.
Additionally, false posts were reportedly published on SNS supporting competing candidates. Targeting Kim, who is engaged in livestock farming, posts claimed that "the stench from the pigsty is causing damage to Gunwi," disparaging him.
Kim's campaign team stated, "This is the first time in Gunwi's election history that such an incident has occurred, and we cannot help but worry that the election will turn into a mudslinging battle," adding, "This is clearly an organized election manipulation and a violation of the Public Official Election Act."
A Gunwi Police Station official said, "We are investigating this case together with the Gunwi Election Commission."
Hot Picks Today
Dramatic Agreement Reached on Eve of Samsung Electronics General Strike... Minister Kim Young-hoon: "Showcased Korea's Strength in Dialogue" (Update)
- "It Has Now Crossed Borders": No Vaccine or Treatment as Bundibugyo Ebola Variant Spreads [Reading Science]
- "From a 70 Million Won Loss to a 350 Million Won Profit with Samsung and SK hynix"... 'Stock Jackpot' Grandfather Gains Attention
- "Stocks Are Not Taxed, but Annual Crypto Gains Over 2.5 Million Won to Be Taxed Next Year... Investors Push Back"
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
In the People Power Party's Gunwi-gun governor election, two candidates, current governor Kim Young-man and Kim Jin-yeol, the head of the Livestock Cooperative, have applied for nomination. The People Power Party Gyeongbuk Provincial Party Nomination Management Committee will decide the final candidate through a two-day opinion poll targeting party members and the general public on the 6th and 7th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
