5 Months Before the Nationwide Simultaneous Cooperative Head Elections: 'For Thrills and Announcements...'

Published 07 Oct.2022 18:03(KST)

[Haenam=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Hyun] With the ‘3rd Nationwide Simultaneous Cooperative Head Election’ to elect heads of 1,353 agricultural, fisheries, and forestry cooperatives nationwide scheduled for March 8 next year just five months away, the election for agricultural cooperative heads in the Jeonnam region is already stirring up.

In one regional agricultural cooperative in Jeonnam, a controversy over election law has arisen after a scene was witnessed where cooperative members were collectively provided with a meal ahead of the cooperative head election.

It is known that on the 27th of last month, about 20 executives and cooperative members of Agricultural Cooperative A in Jeonnam were provided a meal by the cooperative at a restaurant in Mokpo City after the current cooperative head attended the inauguration ceremony as the newly elected president of the National Rice Association.

While dining at the restaurant in Mokpo, they loudly toasted with phrases like “Ssuligo, for Pogo...” causing other customers at the restaurant that day to frown in displeasure.

B, a witness who visited the restaurant at the time, said, “A large bus marked with the cooperative’s logo was parked on site, and it felt like they had been on a trip for a specific purpose,” adding, “There was a noisy commotion with remarks conscious of the cooperative head election during the meal,” and “I reported it suspecting a violation of election law if the meal was provided.”

In response, a representative of the cooperative said, “It is true that after the event, we had a meal together with cooperative members,” but explained, “However, it was not a celebration for the cooperative head but simply a dinner gathering.”

They further claimed, “The dinner expenses were paid by the cooperative,” and “I don’t understand what the problem is.”

However, from September 21 (180 days before the expiration of the term), donations by candidates, their spouses, and institutions, organizations, or facilities to which candidates belong are restricted.

Additionally, candidates and others cannot provide any material benefits except for official, ceremonial, relief, or charitable acts as defined by the Entrusted Election Act, nor can they offer or promise such benefits.

Regarding this, attempts were made to contact the cooperative head by phone to hear about several situations at the dinner that day, but the response was, “The cooperative head himself was not involved in selecting attendees or approving expenses and is completely unaware of the matter.”