Politics · South Korea · 18 hrs ago
Uiryeong County chief indicted over alleged false election claim
Uiryeong County chief Oh Tae-wan has been indicted in South Korea over an election-related allegation.
Prosecutors say he falsely claimed during a campaign speech that rival candidate Kang Won-deok was giving residents money to buy their votes.
Oh denies making a definitive claim and says he has evidence to show his remarks were not false.
Earlier election cases ended in a fine and an acquittal, while a separate conviction for sexual assault resulted in a fine and did not cost him his position.
Under South Korean law, certain convictions can remove local leaders from office, and election-law convictions can invalidate an election win if they bring a prison sentence or a fine of at least 1 million won.
The new case will have a preparatory hearing on Nov.
25, before the court considers the allegation.
Uiryeong County chief Oh Tae-wan was indicted on a charge of making a false statement about an election rival.
Prosecutors allege Oh said during a campaign rally that rival candidate Kang Won-deok was giving money to residents to buy votes.
Oh’s side says he did not state that anyone had definitely given money and has evidence to show his remarks were not false.
The case concerns remarks made during the June 3 local elections, and a hearing to prepare for trial is scheduled for November 25.
Oh has previously faced election-law cases; earlier cases ended in a fine or an acquittal, and he kept his office.
- Who
- Uiryeong County chief Oh Tae-wan, an independent candidate, was indicted. The alleged target of his remarks was rival candidate Kang Won-deok.
- What
- Oh is accused of making a false statement that Kang was giving money to residents to buy votes. Oh’s side disputes that the remarks were false.
- When
- The alleged remarks were made on May 31, during the 2026 local election campaign. Oh was indicted on October 13, and a trial-preparation hearing is scheduled for November 25.
- Where
- At a campaign rally outside an apartment building in Uiryeong.
- Why
- Prosecutors allege the remarks about Kang and vote-buying were false. Oh’s side says he did not make a definitive claim that anyone gave money.
Kang Won-deok’s side
Oh Tae-wan’s side
Alleged statement
Kang Won-deok’s side
Kang’s side said Oh’s remarks were false and filed a police complaint.
Oh Tae-wan’s side
Oh’s side says he did not definitively state that anyone had given money.
Evidence
Kang Won-deok’s side
Not stated.
Oh Tae-wan’s side
Oh’s side says it has evidence to show the remarks were not false.
Oh was elected county chief in a by-election and later received a fine for an inaccurate description of his career in election materials.
During a campaign rally outside an apartment building in Uiryeong, Oh allegedly made remarks about Kang giving money to residents.
Prosecutors indicted Oh without detention on suspicion of making a false statement under the Public Official Election Act.
A trial-preparation hearing is scheduled at the Masan Branch of the Changwon District Court.
- Defendant
- Oh Tae-wan, Uiryeong County chief
- Alleged offense
- False statement under the Public Official Election Act
- Rival candidate
- Kang Won-deok, a People Power Party candidate
- Alleged location
- Outside an apartment building in Uiryeong
- Indictment date
- October 13, 2026
- Scheduled hearing
- November 25
1 source
What people are saying
There were various reports at the time, but I did not state definitively that anyone had given money.
We also have materials to prove that the statement was not false.
We are baffled that we were indicted immediately when the statute of limitations still had considerable time left.