Police are investigating Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party over sending Lunar New Year gifts to 10 conservative YouTubers while serving as the party's emergency committee chair.
Recently, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit was assigned and is reviewing a case requesting an investigation into lawmaker Kwon for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act. The National Election Commission (NEC) made the referral.
The NEC judged that Kwon, during his tenure as emergency committee chair, sending Lunar New Year gifts to conservative YouTubers constituted a donation activity banned under election law, and in March requested an investigation by prosecutors. The case was later assigned to police.
Under the Public Official Election Act, party representatives, National Assembly members, local council members, and heads of local governments are barred from donation activities that provide property benefits by offering money or goods. Routine acts related to party activities or relief acts are not regarded as donations.