Politics · South Korea · 4 hrs ago
Former Seosan mayor challenges police decision not to refer current mayor
Former Seosan mayor Maeng Jeong-ho has challenged a police decision not to refer a complaint against current Mayor Lee Wan-seop.
Maeng accused Lee of making a false statement during a televised debate in South Korea's local election campaign.
The disputed comment concerned apartment construction during Maeng's time as mayor, when Lee said there had been no apartment supply achievements.
Police said Lee's words did not clearly conflict with objective facts enough to constitute the alleged election offence.
Maeng says the comment could have affected the election, and has asked for the decision to be reviewed.
Police must now send the case to a prosecutor, who can ask them to investigate again if the decision was improper or unfair.
Lee won a third contest against Maeng and was re-elected.
Former Seosan mayor Maeng Jeong-ho has challenged police’s decision not to refer current Mayor Lee Wan-seop over alleged false statements during an election debate.
Maeng said he filed an objection and trusts the prosecution office to review the case.
He accused Lee of falsely saying that no apartments were supplied during Maeng’s administration.
Police reportedly found that Lee’s remarks were not clearly contrary to objective facts enough to constitute the alleged offense.
Under the process described, police must send the case to a prosecutor after Maeng’s objection.
- Who
- Former Seosan Mayor Maeng Jeong-ho challenged the decision concerning current Mayor Lee Wan-seop.
- What
- Maeng filed an objection to police’s decision not to refer Lee over alleged false statements in an election debate.
- When
- Maeng said on Nov. 3 that he had filed the objection.
- Where
- Seosan, South Korea; the disputed remarks were made during a televised local election debate.
- Why
- Maeng said the remarks falsely described apartment supply during his administration and could have affected the election.
Maeng Jeong-ho
Seosan police
Alleged false statement
Maeng Jeong-ho
Maeng said Lee’s claim that no apartments were supplied during Maeng’s administration was false.
Seosan police
Police reportedly found that Lee’s remarks were not so clearly contrary to objective facts as to constitute the alleged offense.
Police decision
Maeng Jeong-ho
Maeng said it was unreasonable for police not to refer the case.
Seosan police
Police decided not to refer Lee for the alleged election-law violation.
Lee made remarks at a televised debate about apartment supply during Maeng’s administration.
Police decided not to refer Lee, reportedly finding that his remarks did not meet the threshold for the alleged offense.
Maeng said he had filed an objection to the police decision.
- Complainant
- Maeng Jeong-ho, former Seosan mayor
- Current mayor
- Lee Wan-seop
- Objection
- Filed by Maeng on Nov. 3
- Allegation
- False statements about apartment supply during Maeng’s administration
- Police decision
- Did not refer Lee for the alleged violation of the Public Official Election Act
1 source
What people are saying
I cannot understand, by common sense, why police did not refer the case even though false statements in a televised debate watched by many people affected the election.
I submitted an objection, and I believe the prosecution office will make a strict judgment.