Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office Holds General Election Strategy Meeting... "Swift Response to Bribery and Election Interference"

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office held a countermeasure meeting in preparation for the 22nd National Assembly election (general election) and decided to respond swiftly to election-related violent acts, dissemination of false information, election-related bribery, and election interference by public officials and organizations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, around 10:30 a.m., the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office held a countermeasure meeting with related agencies such as the Election Commission and the police at the Mapo-gu government office in Seoul to prepare for the general election.

These agencies agreed to respond promptly and strictly to key crackdown targets including election-related violent acts, dissemination of false information and black propaganda, election-related bribery, and election interference by public officials and organizations.

Election-related violent acts include assault and threats against candidates, election managers, speakers, and volunteers, as well as assault and threats against public officials, and damage to posters and banners.

In addition, the creation of fake news using generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology and deepfakes, baseless allegations through fake news and black propaganda on social networking services (SNS), and manipulation of opinion polls in intra-party primaries are also included in the crackdown targets.

Furthermore, bribery related to election campaigns, bribery related to candidate unification, and bribery acts, as well as election interference or campaigning by public officials and public institutions, will be cracked down on.

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office has organized a dedicated election investigation team and entered a special duty system in stages, planning to maintain an emergency duty system until October 10 of this year, the statute of limitations expiration date.

Additionally, dedicated prosecutors for each electoral district have been appointed to establish a real-time cooperation system enabling 24-hour emergency contact, sharing election crime-related situations and information with related agencies from the early stages of investigation, and cooperating closely.

In particular, the prosecution and police plan to obligatorily present and exchange opinions up to three months before the statute of limitations expires, and to promptly present and exchange opinions on cases received within three months before the statute of limitations expiration.

The Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office stated, "We will actively communicate and cooperate with the Election Commission and the police to investigate according to law and principles regardless of identity, status, or election outcome," and added, "We will do our best to establish a culture of fair elections by ensuring that appropriate sentences are imposed for illegal acts."

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