Incheon Police Investigate 81 Cases and 174 Individuals Related to June 1 Local Elections... 32 Referred to Prosecution

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency announced on the 6th that it investigated 174 individuals (81 cases) for violations of the Public Official Election Act related to the 8th nationwide local elections held on June 1, and referred 32 of them to the prosecution.

By type of crime, spreading false information was the most common with 51 people (29.3%), followed by bribery with 26 people (15%), damage to banners and posters with 18 people (10.3%), involvement of public officials in elections with 8 people (4.6%), and distribution of printed materials with 4 people (2.3%).

Among the 32 individuals referred to the prosecution, the charges were as follows: 8 for spreading false information, 4 for damaging banners and posters, 3 for bribery, 3 for involvement of public officials in elections, 1 for election violence, 1 for distribution of printed materials, and 12 for other offenses.

Of the 81 cases investigated, 49 were complaints and accusations, 22 were cases received through reports or petitions to the police, and the remaining 10 were investigated upon request from the Election Commission.

In a major case, Cho Taeksang, former Political Deputy Mayor for Balanced Development of Incheon City, was prosecuted for violating the Public Official Election Act by visiting the office of a preliminary candidate and giving an encouragement speech despite being a public official.

Additionally, Moon Kyungbok, Mayor of Ongjin County, Incheon, was indicted without detention for donating 510,000 won to four churches in the electoral district under the pretext of offerings, violating the Public Official Election Act.

Park Jonghyo, Mayor of Namdong District, who was referred by the police for spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act, was dismissed by the prosecution due to 'insufficient evidence.'

Meanwhile, the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency plans to strengthen crackdowns in preparation for the Incheon City Sports Council president election this month and the 3rd nationwide simultaneous cooperative association head elections in March next year.

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