Search and Seizure over 'Political Funds' Allegation... Changwon Mayor Hong Nampyo Says "Justice Prevails, I Have Never Been Involved in the Funds"

The prosecution conducted a search and seizure of the Changwon Special City Mayor's Office and the Second Deputy Mayor's Office in Gyeongnam on the 25th in connection with allegations of violations of the Political Funds Act, and Hong Nampyo, the mayor of Changwon, described this as "justice will prevail."

According to the Changwon District Prosecutors' Office, the search and seizure were related to a case involving alleged violations of the Political Funds Act by Hong Nampyo, the Special City Mayor of Changwon, Gyeongnam, and Jo Myeongrae, the Second Deputy Mayor.

Prosecutors are loading seized items from the search and seizure at Changwon Special City Hall in Gyeongnam into a vehicle.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

About ten prosecutors and investigators searched the mayor's office, the Second Deputy Mayor's office, and the personnel department.

The prosecution began the search around 9 a.m. and came out around 5:50 p.m. carrying boxes containing seized items.

It was confirmed that about six boxes contained documents and items related to suspicions of illegal political funds.

Mayor Hong and Deputy Mayor Jo are suspected of raising illegal political funds at their campaign during the nationwide simultaneous local elections.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, Gyeongnam, is answering questions from the press.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

Mayor Hong canceled all scheduled external events that day and worked at the government building, and he left his office to attend the opening ceremony of the 22nd Masan Fish Market Festival held that afternoon.

Facing reporters, Mayor Hong emphasized, "Candidates do not have the time to be involved in the expenditure of money during the election," and added, "There is no connection with Deputy Mayor Jo, and I was not involved in political funds."

He continued, "In the end, justice will prevail," and said, "I will make sure to properly oversee so that there is no impact on city administration."

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