Election Candidates in Police Custody on Charges of Slander & Embezzlement

On April 2, election candidates were taken into police custody. Police for Kwanak Ward in southern Seoul have charged a candidate whose name was not released with slander against a rival candidate, an act that directly contravenes election laws and code of conduct.

The man in question was taken into police custody on the grounds that he had been handing out flyers at Shillim subway station on April 1 with claims that his "shameless" opponent had been responsible for "corruption in the educational system." In his defence, the candidate now in custody, said that he was simply distributing the flyers on behalf of the an association demonstrating against professors who were discharged from their university posts for their politics in the pre-1980s. He insists that he acted in this capacity and not as a candidate.

On the same day, Socho Ward police also charged another election candidate only known as Kim for fraud. Head of an investment consultancy here in Seoul, Mr. Kim is alleged to have absconded with fifteen million won($13,000) from a Ms.Moon by promising a 30% return on her investment in only five days. The charges were independent of his election campaign, but cast suspicions on his reputation. In response to these allegations, Mr.Kim replied that he really "invested that money, however, I couldn't give her the return on her money for there was no profit."
Mr. Kim is still in detention awaiting sentencing.

by Lee Ka-young