Chungnam Election Commission Reports Kim Kiwoong, Seocheon County Governor, and Two Others for Alleged Election Law Violations

Providing Food to Public Officials and Forcing Them to Watch Promotional Videos at Specific Locations

The Chungnam Election Commission has reported Kim Kiwoong, the governor of Seocheon County, and two others to the Hongseong Branch of the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act.

Governor Kim is accused of providing food worth approximately 1.8 million won to about 90 people, including affiliated public officials and employees of Company A, at a restaurant operated by his spouse in mid-December 2022 and early January this year.

He is also accused of conspiring with affiliated public officials to gather about 80 public officials at a specific location he owns outside of working hours on 10 occasions in March this year, providing them with alcoholic beverages, fruit, and other foods, and having them watch a promotional video of his achievements.

In addition, around mid-May, he allegedly provided economic benefits worth 560,000 won (80,000 won per person) to seven affiliated public officials by allowing them to use a nearby golf course at a discounted rate.

According to the Public Official Election Act, public officials are prohibited from promoting a candidate's achievements to affiliated staff or voters under any pretext, and from making donations to individuals, organizations, or groups within the constituency for the benefit of a candidate.

An official from the Chungnam Election Commission stated, "As the 9th nationwide local elections approach, similar illegal activities are expected to occur," and added, "Please actively report any violations of the election law to help establish a sound election culture."

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