Police Refer 1,527 Election Law Violators to Prosecutors, Up 78.5% From Previous Election

Police investigated 3,951 individuals related to the 21st presidential election and referred 1,527 of them to prosecutors. The number of cases reached 3,198, a 78.5% increase compared to 1,792 cases in the 20th presidential election.

A National Police Agency official said at a regular press briefing held at the police headquarters in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the morning of January 8, "We investigated a total of 3,198 cases involving 3,951 individuals related to the 21st presidential election, referred 1,527 to prosecutors, and arrested 12 of them."

When asked about the investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae, the official explained, "The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency conducted an interview with the complainant on December 3 and a witness interview with the victim's former partner on December 5."

Police are also investigating a "secondary victimization" case related to Rep. Jang, who faces the sexual harassment allegations. A police official said, "A complaint was filed with the Yeongdeungpo Police Station on December 2 and was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Cyber Investigation Unit on December 3. We will proceed with the investigation according to procedures, including interviewing the complainant."

Regarding complaints filed by civic group Citizens' Livelihood Countermeasures Committee against former Presidential Office Digital Communication Secretary Kim Nam-kook, Democratic Party Floor Operations Senior Deputy Representative Moon Jin-seok, and First Secretary Kim Hyun-ji over personnel solicitation controversies, the official said, "The complaint was received on December 4 and assigned to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crimes Investigation Unit."

In the case of First Secretary Kim, a complaint was filed on October 6 on charges including abuse of authority, coercion, obstruction of business, and occupational embezzlement and breach of trust, and the Yongsan Police Station is also currently investigating.

Regarding the People Power Party's complaint against National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairperson Choo Mi-ae on charges of abuse of authority, the official said, "The Yeongdeungpo Police Station is proceeding with the investigation according to procedures."

On the investigation into allegations of preferential treatment in the appointment of Yoo Dam, daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, as a professor at Incheon National University, the official said, "The case was received by the Incheon Yeonsu Police Station on November 4 and transferred to the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit. The investigation is proceeding according to procedures."