Gyeongnam Election Commission Files Complaint Against Cheon Yeong-gi, Tongyeong Mayor, for Election Law Violation
The Gyeongnam Election Commission filed a complaint with the prosecution on the 11th against Cheon Young-gi, mayor of Tongyeong City, on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act by appealing for support as a prospective candidate in the 22nd National Assembly election next year.
According to the Gyeongnam Election Commission, Mayor Cheon is accused of using his position at the Hansan Battle Festival last August to appeal for support for Jeong Jeom-sik, a member of the People Power Party and National Assembly member for the Tongyeong-Goseong district, and to induce favorable responses for next year's general election.
The Gyeongnam Election Commission investigated whether Mayor Cheon violated the Public Official Election Act after receiving a report from a citizen who recorded a video of Mayor Cheon making the statements at the festival.
The video is known to show Mayor Cheon and Assemblyman Jeong visiting booths at the festival site.
According to the video, Mayor Cheon said at one booth, “The head of ○○dong and the assemblyman are elementary school classmates. Then, should all the votes from ○○dong come out, or not?” and added, “If the votes don’t come out next year, you know what to do.”
At another booth, Mayor Cheon asked, “There is a National Assembly election next year, who should we support?” After hearing cheers for Assemblyman Jeong, he shouted, “Please support him a lot. Tongyeong City has had a good relationship between the mayor and the assemblyman for the first time in 20 years.”
At another location, he said, “The head of □□dong is a high school senior of Assemblyman Jeong Jeom-sik,” and added, “It won’t work if the votes don’t come out. Since this is my district, please sell a lot of votes in April next year.”
Hot Picks Today
"Stocks Are Not Taxed, but Annual Crypto Gains Over 2.5 Million Won to Be Taxed Next Year... Investors Push Back"
- Sampyo Group Chairman’s Trial Over ‘Eldest Son’s Unfair Support’: Prosecution and Defense Dispute Project’s Nature
- "Who Is Visiting Japan These Days?" The Once-Crowded Tourist Spots Empty Out... What's Happening?
- "Am I Really in the Top 30%?" and "Worried About My Girlfriend in the Bottom 70%"... Buzz Over High Oil Price Relief Fund
- "It Has Now Crossed Borders": No Vaccine or Treatment as Bundibugyo Ebola Variant Spreads [Reading Science]
An official from the Election Commission stated, “It is a serious crime that severely undermines the fairness and order of elections when a public official, who must maintain political neutrality, engages in election campaigning during public elections,” and added, “We will continue to take strict measures according to regulations.”
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
