Trial Continues for Hong Nampyo, Changwon Mayor, on Election Law Violation Charges... When Will His Statement Be Given?

The fourth trial regarding allegations of violation of the Public Official Election Act against Hong Nampyo, the mayor of Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, was held on the afternoon of the 11th, following the third trial the previous day.

At the trial held at Changwon District Court, Mayor Hong, along with Mr. A, who was involved in the public office proposal, and Mr. B, who claims to have received the proposal, attended.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam, is heading to the courtroom to attend the 4th trial.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

According to the prosecution, around March 22 of last year, Mayor Hong and Mr. A conspired knowing that Mr. B would run as the People Power Party's preliminary candidate for Changwon mayor in the nationwide local elections and proposed that he join Mayor Hong’s election campaign, who was then a preliminary candidate.

On April 5, ahead of the party primary, they are accused of promising a public office to Mr. B at a restaurant to prevent him from running as a preliminary candidate.

Mr. B is accused of accepting the proposal to join Mayor Hong’s election campaign and the promise of a public office from Mr. A between March 13 and April 4 of last year.

Mayor Hong and Mr. A’s side argue that Mr. B was not a person intending to become a candidate, thus denying the charge of candidate bribery.

Following previous trials, witness examination is ongoing in this trial as well, focusing on whether Mr. B qualifies as a ‘person intending to become a candidate.’

The next trials are scheduled for May 1 and 22, but it is uncertain when statements from Mayor Hong and other parties involved in the case will be made.

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