Ahead of the 22nd National Assembly elections, a close aide of former Namwon Mayor Lee Hwan Ju has been arrested for donating to constituents.
On the 30th, the Namwon Police Station in Jeollabuk-do announced that they had arrested a close aide of former Mayor Lee Hwan Ju. They are investigating charges of violating the Public Office Election Act.
The aide is accused of conspiring with two others, including a volunteer, to provide about 60 constituents with meals worth about KRW 1.6 million (about $1,400) for election campaigning at the end of January at a restaurant in Dotong-dong, Namwon-si.
The police are also investigating without detention against the other two, including a second suspect on the same charges.
The Jeonbuk Election Commission had previously reported three people, including the close aide, to the prosecution last February.
The aide stated during the police investigation that he “just had a meal with acquaintances.”
The police are investigating whether the aide and others conspired with former Mayor Lee Hwan Ju.
A police official said, “We are investigating the possibility of additional accomplices,” and added, “We cannot disclose detailed information as the investigation is ongoing.”