On the 18th, it was learned that a council member identified as A, a member of the Jung District Council in Seoul, was sent by police to prosecutors on suspicion of receiving a car from a resident while serving as council chair and hiring that resident as a secretary equivalent to Grade 7. Council member A has finished the term as council chair and is currently serving as a district council member. Prosecutors are reviewing whether to indict council member A.
According to police and prosecutors, council member A is suspected of violating the anti-graft law. The suspicion is that A violated provisions prohibiting performing official duties in response to an improper solicitation and prohibiting receiving valuables above a certain amount, whether related to official duties or not.
Council member A, who was the district council chair in 2022, hired a resident identified as B as a Grade 7 secretary. An earlier investigation found that A had been provided a car by B. The provision of the car reportedly began before A took office as council chair and continued for about three years in total.
The Jungbu Police Station in Seoul investigated the case. Allegations that council member A violated the Public Official Election Act and abused authority were also subject to investigation. When Jungbu Police forwarded the case to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, it reportedly recommended indictment. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office questioned council member A in Apr. and is currently reviewing whether to indict.
In a phone call with ChosunBiz about this, council member A said, "The car was not received free of charge but in the form of a lease (lease·rental)," adding, "There was a procedural misunderstanding, but that part has been explained." A added, "I will respond well through legal means."