'Distribution of Money to Party Members' Park Byung-gyu, Mayor of Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, Criminally Indicted

Audio Recording of Money Envelope Scandal Spreads Widely... Democratic Party Ethics Inspection Team Begins Investigation

Candidates Urge "Prompt Investigation" · Candidate Park Denies as "False Propaganda and Slander"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] The police have launched an investigation into Park Byung-gyu, the Democratic Party of Korea's prospective candidate for Gwangsan District Mayor in Gwangju Metropolitan City, who is suspected of providing money and goods to party members with voting rights.

The Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit of the Gwangju Police Agency announced on the 9th that they are investigating Park on charges of prohibited donation activities under the Public Official Election Act.

If a basic local government head is sentenced to a fine of 1 million won or more for violating the Public Official Election Act, their election becomes invalid.

Park is suspected of handing an envelope containing 300,000 won in cash to Kim, a Democratic Party member with voting rights, at a restaurant in Gwangsan District in mid-January.

Park's camp claims, "There was no monetary transaction, and this is false propaganda and a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing the candidate who secured the nomination."

The police plan to ascertain the exact facts through witness investigations after receiving the related complaint.

The complaint includes specific details such as the exact time, place, and method, and the submitted recording reportedly contains evidence of another instance of money or goods exchange.

Separately, a report regarding this matter has also been submitted to the Democratic Party's Ethics Inspection Team.

Five candidates running for Gwangsan District Mayor held a press conference the day before, demanding "a thorough investigation by the investigative authorities and a swift decision on whether to revoke the Democratic Party nomination."

They stated, "Many citizens have heard this news and are expressing concerns," adding, "Following the 7th local election term, there are worries that the 8th term Gwangsan District Mayor will also be embroiled in legal disputes, leading to administrative disruption."

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