Prosecutors Seek Arrest of Two Aides to Chungbuk Governor

South Korean prosecutors have asked for arrest warrants for two aides to North Chungcheong (Chungbuk) Governor Shin Yong-han over alleged breaches of election law, the Seoul Economic Daily reported.

The Cheongju District Prosecutors’ Office said on Friday (Oct 30) that it had requested the warrants for the two Chungbuk governor aides on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act.

The alleged offences include unlawful contributions, vote buying and inducement of interest, and breaching rules on campaign methods, according to the report.

Chungbuk governor aides accused over texts

The two aides are suspected of borrowing the names of about a dozen campaign staff to activate mobile phones in March, during the Democratic Party primary for the North Chungcheong governor’s race.

The phones were then allegedly used to send text messages to party members asking for their support.

One of the aides, identified only as A, allegedly paid 37 million won in wages to the workers who sent the messages. A also allegedly covered the salary of another aide who worked as the governor’s personal assistant.

The report said election rules allow mass text messaging only by candidates and preliminary candidates, using a single phone registered with the National Election Commission, and bar paying others to send campaign texts.

Governor denies wrongdoing

Citing sources, the newspaper said police believe Shin directed A and the other aide. Police are expected to refer the governor to prosecutors on the same charges without seeking to detain him.

Shin has denied the allegations, saying the two aides acted on their own, according to the sources cited in the report.

No date for a court hearing on the warrant requests was given in the report.

#latestmalaysia

Negeri Sembilan Policeman Remanded Over RM3,000 Bribe