Jinseongjun: Construction Contractor Involved in 'Party Member Bribery' Paid 45 Million KRW to 31 People

Jinseongjun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference on the 24th at the National Assembly Communication Office, urging legislation to prevent private privileges in public land and strengthen the recovery of development gains. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] It has been revealed that a key suspect involved in the ‘party member bribery’ allegations linked to Jin Seong-jun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the June 1 local elections paid tens of millions of won to dozens of people.

According to the Criminal Division 6 of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Jun-dong) on the 13th, construction businessman Jo was confirmed to have paid 45 million won in cash to a total of 31 people, including executives of the Gangseo-eul regional committee and neighborhood association heads, as expenses for recruiting party members to ensure the victory of Democratic Party candidate Kim Seung-hyun in the primary election. He is also suspected of holding a meeting to support former candidate Kim and encouraging him to make appeals in favor of Kim.

The prosecution applied charges against Jo for violating the Public Official Election Act (prohibition and restriction of donation acts, restriction on third-party donations, bribery and inducement, election campaign period violations) as well as embezzlement and breach of trust in the course of duty. The prosecution is also conducting supplementary investigations, viewing Jin and Kim’s aide, who were sent for prosecution on charges of pre-election campaigning, as accomplices.

Although the statute of limitations for the local elections ended on the 1st, it is currently suspended due to Jo’s indictment. The Gangseo Police Station in Seoul previously sent Jin to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office on charges of aiding pre-election campaigning under the Public Official Election Act. However, the allegations of party member bribery and leakage of party member lists were dismissed with no charges.

The allegations became known through the disclosure by Yoon Doo-kwon, former vice chairman of the Democratic Party’s Gangseo-eul regional committee. At the time, former Vice Chairman Yoon claimed that Jin provided cash through Jo for former candidate Kim, who was his aide, and illegally recruited party members. In response, the People Power Party filed complaints against Jin, former candidate Kim, and others.

Immediately after being sent for prosecution, Jin stated in a press release, “The party member bribery allegations, which some media outlets have been continuously reporting, are completely groundless. I have never unjustly received money or valuables from anyone, nor have I given any. The allegations of leaking party member lists are also completely unfounded.”

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