Three campaign officials reported to police over 6.16 million won paid to unregistered election workers in Jeju superintendent election

【Financial News Jeju = Jeong Yong-bok】 Three campaign officials were reported to police on suspicion of paying a total of 6.16 million won to six unregistered election workers in the Jeju Province superintendent of education election held this past June. They are also suspected of exceeding the statutory number of election workers on 8 of the 13 campaign days.
According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Election Commission on the 2nd, the commission reported to police on October 30 the head of a candidate’s election liaison office, A, accounting officer B, and election worker C, in connection with the Jeju Province superintendent of education election in the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections.
The commission determined that A failed to meet the obligation to report the appointment or dismissal of election-related personnel to the competent election commission. It also said it had filed a complaint after confirming suspicions that A, together with B and C, paid a total of 6.16 million won to six unregistered election workers as allowances and reimbursement of actual expenses.
They are also suspected of operating the election liaison office with more workers than legally permitted for 8 of the 13 campaign days.
The Public Official Election Act stipulates that allowances and reimbursement of actual expenses be paid, in accordance with statutory standards, to election-related personnel who have been formally appointed and reported. Providing money, valuables, or other benefits not permitted by law in connection with campaigning is prohibited.
The Public Official Election Act also applies to superintendent of education elections under the Act on Local Educational Autonomy. The number of workers permitted at an election liaison office is limited to the number of eup, myeon, and dong administrative units in the relevant city, county, or district. Illegal provision of money or valuables in connection with campaigning may be punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.
The case has drawn attention because allegations have been raised that rules on reporting election workers, statutory staffing limits, and the payment of allowances were all violated. The system limiting the number of election workers and setting the scope of permissible payments is intended to ensure fairness in campaigning among candidates.
The Jeju Province Election Commission plans to respond firmly to conduct that undermines electoral order, including illegal vote buying.
[email protected] Jeong Yong-bok Reporter