Politics · South Korea · 15 hrs ago
South Korean lawmaker referred over education chief candidate endorsement
Police referred lawmaker Lee Hae-sik to prosecutors over a post about his vote in South Korea’s June 3 local elections.
On May 30, during early voting, Lee posted a photo from a polling station and named candidates he had voted for, including an education superintendent candidate.
Police say the endorsement may breach a rule that bars political parties and their lawmakers from publicly supporting candidates in education superintendent elections.
Lawmakers can generally disclose their votes or preferred candidates in other elections, according to the police explanation.
The referral covers only Lee’s support for the education candidate; police did not refer the separate allegation that he violated ballot secrecy.
The case has been sent to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office for further consideration, and no decision on the case is reported.
South Korean police referred lawmaker Lee Hae-sik to prosecutors over his public endorsement of a candidate in the June 3 local education chief election.
The Gangdong Police Station sent Lee to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office on Nov. 5 on suspicion of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act.
On May 30, Lee posted a photo of himself voting early and named the candidates he voted for, including an education chief candidate.
Police said they referred him only over his public support for the education chief candidate.
Police said the law allows lawmakers to disclose their votes or preferred candidates generally, but bars political parties and their lawmakers from endorsing specific candidates in education chief elections.
- Who
- Lawmaker Lee Hae-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea.
- What
- Police referred him to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act over publicly endorsing an education chief candidate.
- When
- Police referred him on Nov. 5. The post was made on May 30.
- Where
- Seoul, South Korea. Lee posted the message after voting at the Cheonho 3-dong community service center.
- Why
- Police said political parties and their lawmakers are barred from publicly supporting specific candidates in education chief elections.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lee voted early and posted a photo naming the candidates he had voted for, including an education chief candidate.
A conservative civic group filed a complaint alleging that Lee’s public endorsement violated the Local Education Autonomy Act.
Gangdong Police Station referred Lee to the Seoul Eastern District Prosecutors’ Office over his support for the education chief candidate.
Yonhap reported the referral.
- Lawmaker
- Lee Hae-sik
- Referral date
- Nov. 5
- Election date
- June 3
- Early voting date
- May 30
- Police station
- Gangdong Police Station
- Alleged violation
- Local Education Autonomy Act
What people are saying
I voted only for No. 1