Elders Invited for Galbitang Feast... "Hard to View as Donation Act Due to Resident Hospitality"

On the 24th, a report was filed with the local election commission about a Seoul restaurant serving elderly guests Galbitang priced at 14,000 won per bowl; investigation concluded it was a community meal without candidate support remarks, thus not considered a donation act.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] As the June 1 local elections approach, a report has been filed with the relevant election commission alleging illegal election activities, including inviting elderly citizens to a restaurant in Seoul and providing them with galbitang priced at 14,000 won per bowl.

On the 24th, a candidate in Seoul reported to the local election commission after receiving a tip that a group lunch was being provided to local residents at a galbi restaurant in **dong, Seoul.

According to the tip, a prominent figure in **dong invited dozens of elderly residents from a senior center to a restaurant in **dong for lunch. Specific details of this incident were revealed through an audio recording from a local resident who received the meal.

In particular, one resident who was served expressed concern about being fined but also angrily stated in the recording that it is wrong to take advantage of residents by buying them meals for election purposes. It is known that there are photos from the scene showing the meal being provided at that time.

However, an official from the election commission told this reporter on the 30th, “After completing the investigation, we concluded that the meal was hosted by local residents and there were no statements supporting any candidate during the meal, so it is difficult to consider this as an election-related donation.”

An official advised, “As the Seoul district mayoral election is highly competitive, election commissions, police, and other investigative agencies should actively monitor to prevent last-minute illegal election campaigns.”

Reporters Park Jong-il and Yoo Byung-don dream@asiae.co.kr

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