Democratic Party Gyeonggi Province Chapter Faces Mounting Troubles Amid Police Investigation
The Democratic Party Gyeonggi Province Chapter underwent police pressure search on suspicions of illegal party member recruitment. Separately raised accounting misconduct allegations at the provincial chapter have led to election commission investigation and criminal referral, drawing attention to whether additional compulsory investigations will follow.
According to the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency on the 8th, police conducted a pressure search on the Democratic Party Gyeonggi Province Chapter in Paldal District, Suwon on the 7th.
The anti-corruption and economic crime investigation division of the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency sent investigators to the provincial chapter office and secured party membership lists, membership application documents, and computer data. This pressure search is related to allegations of illegal party member recruitment by Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-jun's side and is the third compulsory investigation following the Suwon City Hall office and residences of key individuals. After receiving a complaint in May, police have continued their investigation, and plan to summon Mayor Lee and related parties for questioning upon completing analysis of the seized materials.
Allegations surrounding provincial chapter accounting are also under investigation. Former aides of National Assembly member Kim Seung-won (Suwon District I) have raised allegations of 'salary payback'—claiming that while Kim served as provincial chapter chairman, additional funds beyond regular salary were paid to some party officials and then returned to separate accounts. Problems have also been identified including reporting hotel rental fees different from actual training locations and inflating workshop costs.
The materials submitted by former aides reportedly contain 7 types of suspected accounting misconduct cases across 35 instances. Gyeonggi Province chapter and national party officials claimed regarding salary payback allegations that business promotion funds are included in salaries, and that verification of receipts and supporting documentation for actual expenditures shows no problems. However, the Central Election Commission's Political Funds Investigation Division has stated that if money reported as salary was actually used under different auspices, it could constitute a violation.
The Gyeonggi Province Election Commission said it has received related reports and is investigating. An election commission official explained, "Related accounting materials are extensive and require careful review, and the timing and results of any disposition have not been determined."
On the 2nd, National Assembly member Kim and former provincial chapter accounting manager, administrative office director, and general affairs manager were referred to the Suwon Major Crimes Investigation Division for alleged breach of duty and violations of political funds laws. The complaint is known to contain all accounting allegations including additional salary payments and returns, operation of unreported accounts, and steering specific business deals to particular companies.
While explanations of no issues have emerged from within the party, external investigations into the legality of accounting procedures continue. Going forward, if evidence supporting criminal allegations is secured, it could lead to account tracing or pressure searches on the provincial chapter office and related individuals.
Party-level verification issues have also surfaced in election campaign contracts for Governor Choo Mi-ae's campaign. Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok stated on the 18th of last month that regarding the transaction where the Choo campaign paid approximately 2.1 billion won to ㈜Park Si-young, the party would examine the appropriateness of the contract price, service contents, and transparency of staff relationships. While the national party claimed no issues regarding provincial chapter accounting, it has mentioned the need for review on the separate election cost controversy.
The amount paid by Governor Choo's campaign to ㈜Park Si-young was identified as approximately 2.09 billion won. Surrounding this transaction, controversy has emerged not only over contract appropriateness but also over conflicts of interest regarding whether it was appropriate for Park Si-young's representative to present favorable prospects for the Choo candidate on broadcasts while conducting transactions with the campaign.
Governor Choo countered that the contract was normal, and Park also stated that the amount includes payments to external vendors and that he did not intentionally favor the candidate.
How the results unfold from the election commission's investigation into provincial chapter accounting allegations, the prosecution's review of criminal referral contents, and the party's verification of election service contracts will be key issues going forward.
Police said "we will conduct swift investigations within the statute of limitations".