Asan City Civil Servant and Public Institution Executive Suspected of Illegal Electioneering and Providing Meals

Amid the upcoming June 3 local elections, allegations have emerged in Asan, South Chungcheong Province, that a public official and an executive from an affiliated institution engaged in illegal electioneering for Asan Mayor Oh Se-hyun and provided meals to employees who attended his book launch event.

According to a summary of The Asia Business Daily's coverage on the 16th, individual A filed a police complaint against executive B, who works for a foundation affiliated with Asan City, and public official C, accusing them of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The complaint details suspicions that B and C engaged in illegal electioneering and provided meals to employees who attended Mayor Oh Se-hyun's book launch event.

Screenshot of posts uploaded by Mr B and Mr C in the group chat room

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B is reported to have posted in the foundation's group chat room for employees, saying, "A poll about the Asan mayor is circulating," and "Please support Mayor Oh Se-hyun of Asan," while requesting responses from the group.

It was also revealed that public official C shared promotional materials for Mayor Oh's book launch event, held on February 28, in the same group chat, encouraging attendance with the message, "This is the book launch event for our current foundation chairman. Employees who are available, please take note."

A claims that since the chat room is a work-related space with participation from all employees, statements made by the executive and the public official amount to de facto electioneering with significant influence within the organization.

A police official stated, "A complaint has been filed against B and C. We cannot disclose details of an ongoing investigation."

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