The current Governor of Jeonbuk Province and a former governor are under investigation for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act. The Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Public Security Division has forwarded the cases of Governor Lee Won-taek and former Governor Kim Kwan-young to the prosecution, citing suspicions of spreading false information and illegal campaign activities, respectively.
Allegations Against Governor Lee Won-taek: Meal Expenses
Governor Lee Won-taek is suspected of making false public statements related to meal expenses. The allegations stem from a meeting held on November 29 last year in Jeongeup City. It is alleged that Governor Lee agreed to cover the 727,000 won meal cost for attendees, despite former Jeonbuk Provincial Assembly member Kim Seul-ji initially offering to pay. The suspicion is that Governor Lee, by agreeing to pay, misrepresented the situation as if he had personally covered the expenses, thereby making a false public declaration.
Governor Lee, however, claims he provided Kim Seul-ji with 150,000 won for his own and his aides’ meal expenses. Police investigations, including a review of restaurant CCTV footage, were hampered by the deletion of the relevant video. Based on witness testimonies, investigators found Governor Lee’s claim of personally paying the meal expenses to be lacking credibility.
While the police did not find sufficient evidence to prove collusion between Governor Lee and Kim Seul-ji, they did not dismiss the possibility of a third party’s involvement in the alleged donation of funds. The investigation into the meal expenses concluded that Governor Lee’s statement was not definitively a false public declaration, but the matter remains under scrutiny.
Allegations Against Former Governor Kim Kwan-young: Entertainment Expenses
Former Governor Kim Kwan-young faces allegations of illegal campaign activities, specifically related to entertainment expenses. On November 30 last year, in Jeonju City, Kim Kwan-young is accused of providing 1.08 million won for 18 individuals, including attendees, under the guise of “designated driver service fees” at a restaurant.
Although Kim Kwan-young claims he received the money back after realizing the issue, police consider this a post-event measure and maintain that the suspicion of wrongdoing stands. Similar to the case involving Governor Lee, the investigation into the deleted CCTV footage from the restaurant, which captured the provision of the designated driver service, did not yield evidence directly implicating Kim Kwan-young in the deletion itself.
However, police have forwarded two individuals involved in the exchange of money for profit, along with a basic councilor identified as ‘A’ who allegedly paid the meal expenses on Kim’s behalf, to the prosecution for investigation.
Further Investigations and Political Context
The police have decided not to pursue charges against Governor Lee Won-taek for allegedly making false statements during the Democratic Party’s primary election process concerning former Governor Kim Kwan-young’s alleged non-emergency departure. Investigators concluded that Governor Lee’s remarks could not be definitively classified as false information.
The police are continuing their investigation into other allegations, including Governor Lee’s potential involvement in covering meal expenses and former Governor Kim’s alleged remarks about a “presidential accommodation exchange theory” with President Yoon Suk-yeol.
In May, during an appearance on Jeonbuk CBS radio, former Governor Kim Kwan-young addressed a question about whether he had exchanged views with President Yoon Suk-yeol regarding a non-emergency departure, stating, “I have spoken about the inevitability of a non-emergency departure.”
The Democratic Party, which had nominated Kim Kwan-young, initially investigated the matter and confirmed through the Blue House that the claims were untrue. Subsequently, Kim Kwan-young was reported to the prosecution for allegedly making false public statements in violation of the election law.
Kim Kwan-young, who was nominated by the Democratic Party, ran in the June 3 local elections without emergency measures but ultimately lost. He has since been referred to the prosecution on suspicion of violating the election law by making false public statements.
Responses from Officials
In response to the investigation results, Governor Lee Won-taek stated, “I will respectfully accept the results of the police investigation,” and added, “I will sincerely explain myself regarding the charges forwarded.”
A representative for former Governor Kim Kwan-young commented, “We are aware of the police investigation’s content,” and indicated that “future responses are being discussed.”
The ongoing investigations highlight the scrutiny faced by political figures regarding campaign finance and public statements, underscoring the importance of adhering to election laws.
