The Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party calls for a police investigation into allegations of advertisements for the Gimhae mayoral election.
Quick Look
- The Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Police Agency regarding suspicions of Gimhae Mayor Chung Young-doo of the Democratic Party of Korea bypassing media companies and paying advertising fees during the June 3 local elections and called for a thorough and prompt police investigation.
- Advertising costs related to the suspicion are estimated to be more than 20 million won, and the police announced that they received a complaint in June and are continuing their investigation.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
During the June 3 local elections, suspicions were raised that Democratic Party candidate Jeong Young-doo, who was running for Gimhae mayoral election, proposed that local media outlets post Bukyung Pig Farming Cooperative advertisements instead of candidate banner advertisements and receive advertising expenses from Bukyung Pig Farming Cooperative.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party called for a thorough police investigation into the 'suspicion of circumventing advertising and payment of advertising fees to media outlets' by current mayor Jeong Young-doo of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was the mayoral candidate at the time, that arose during the Gimhae mayoral election in Gyeongsangnam-do in the June 3 local elections.
The Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Police Agency on the morning of the 7th and claimed, “This case is not a matter that can be dismissed as a simple political suspicion or a battle between political parties,” and “If the investigation is delayed, unnecessary political controversy and citizen distrust will only increase.”
He then pointed out, “It is estimated that the advertising costs (related to the suspicion) exceed 20 million won, and the possibility of legal issues arising depending on whether they are election-related expenses is raised.”
At the same time, he said, "If the suspicion is true, he must be held accountable strictly according to the law, and if not true, it can be clearly resolved through investigation," and demanded, "The Gyeongnam Police Agency should no longer sit back and forth and quickly and fairly reveal the true nature of the case in accordance with evidence, law, and principles."
According to the Gyeongnam Provincial Party of the People Power Party, suspicions arose that during the Gimhae mayoral election, Mayor Chung's PR manager, who was the Democratic Party candidate at the time, contacted a number of media outlets in the Gimhae region and suggested that they post advertisements for the Bukyung Pig Farm Cooperative instead of the candidate's banner advertisement and receive payment for the advertisement from the Bukyung Pig Farm Cooperative.
The police, who received a complaint regarding this suspicion last June, are continuing the investigation to this day.
A police official said, “It is difficult to reveal details as it is an ongoing matter.”
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The South Korean Police Department is conducting a summons investigation into corruption and money laundering.
Likely · Within weeks
According to the investigation, there is a possibility of criminal prosecution against a full-time marketer or public relations officer.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- Whether the suspicion of paying advertising fees is true?
- Did Bukyung Pig Farming Cooperative actually pay the advertising fee?
- That's a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
- Whether any further evidence will be obtained in the investigation.
