Prosecutors to Indict Head of Polling Company for Suspected Meddling in Election

Taegu District Public Prosecutors Office Wednesday applied for an arrest warrant for Choi Yoon-dae, 43, head of a polling company called Welcome Research, on suspicion of campaigning for a candidate during public opinion surveys.

Choi is suspected of promoting a candidate identified only as Kim - expected to run in the upcoming April general elections - while conducting phone surveys since mid-February. Choi conducted the polls from an office in Pisan-dong, So-gu, Taegu, using five computers containing the phone numbers of So-gu voters.

Choi reportedly asked respondents if they had heard about candidate Kim, and mentioned his name several times during the poll. If the respondent was not aware of the candidate, Choi allegedly introduced details of his career record, and promoted the candidate by stating that he would be a contender in the upcoming elections.

Prosecutors are expanding the scope of their investigations, judging it highly likely that Choi has been working for other potential candidates as well.

by Hong Gwon-sam