[Exclusive] Four People Arrested in Connection with Bribery in Changnyeong County Governor Election

Citizen Groups Filed Complaints in Late May Against Democratic Candidate Kim Taewan and People Power Candidate Kim Buyoung

On May 24th, during the KBS debate for the Changnyeong County Governor candidates, Kim Tae-wan, the Democratic Party candidate for Changnyeong County Governor, is asking Kim Bu-young, the People Power Party candidate, a question related to 'candidate bribery.' [KBS debate capture]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Wook] The local political scene is shaken by an unprecedented situation in which four people involved in the 'candidate bribery suspicion case' that arose during the Changnyeong-gun mayoral election in Gyeongnam were simultaneously arrested.

The Gyeongnam Police announced on the 27th that they had arrested four individuals: Mr. A, who received the Democratic Party nomination, Mr. B, who provided funds, and Mr. C and Mr. D, who conspired together. It is also known that the police detected circumstances indicating a large amount of money exchanged among them.

The Changnyeong-gun mayoral candidate bribery case surfaced during the KBS-TV debate on May 24, when Democratic Party candidate Kim Taewan asked, "Originally, the Democratic Party had no candidate for Changnyeong-gun mayor. If it goes to a two-person race between Han Jeongwoo and Kim Booyoung, the Democratic Party would not vote for the People Power Party candidate, so independent candidate Han Jeongwoo would have an advantage. So, isn't it possible that even someone from Kim Booyoung's camp crossed over to the Democratic Party to get nominated and planned to attack Han Jeongwoo?" to People Power Party candidate Kim Booyoung.

In response to this question, candidate Kim Booyoung flatly denied, saying, "That is not true."

The candidate bribery suspicion case came to light in early May after a local newspaper published an expos? article alleging that "a person who recently helped a People Power Party county council candidate received the Democratic Party nomination for mayor."

After Democratic Party candidate Kim Taewan mentioned the 'candidate bribery case' in the TV debate, a civic group filed a complaint against candidates Kim Booyoung and Kim Taewan on May 30.

According to Article 232 of the Public Official Election Act (Bribery and Inducement of Candidates), violators face imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine between 5 million and 50 million won. The crime of spreading false information is also punishable by imprisonment of up to seven years or a fine between 5 million and 30 million won.

Following our report, the Gyeongnam Police informed media outlets and reporters that "four people have been arrested, and we will investigate any connections with Mayor Kim Booyoung in the future."

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