Jung Seung-yeon, Chairman of the People Power Party Incheon Yeonsu Gap, Investigated for Allegations of Election Law Violation Related to Flower Wreath Provision

It has been confirmed that Jung Seung-yeon, Chairman of the People Power Party Incheon Yeonsu Gap, is under investigation by the Election Commission for allegations of making donations to local residents.

Chairman Jung is being investigated by the Incheon City Election Commission for allegedly providing a flower wreath at the wedding of a local resident, Mr. K, in April of last year while serving as the Second Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office.

Mr. K, who received the flower wreath, is known to have served as the chairman of the residents' committee in the Incheon Yeonsu Gap electoral district and has been active in local self-organized groups.

The Public Official Election Act defines the act of providing financial or material benefits to individuals within the electoral district or those with connections to them by members of the National Assembly, local council members, heads of local governments, representatives of political parties, candidates, or those intending to become candidates, as a donation and generally prohibits it. Donations include the provision of congratulatory or condolence money and flower wreaths.

An official from the Incheon City Election Commission stated, "If financial benefits are provided to individuals within the electoral district or those with connections to the district's residents, it is considered a donation," adding, "If the person who received the flower wreath falls under this category, it could be considered a donation."

He further explained, "Even if he was serving as a secretary at the Presidential Office at the time, it could be viewed as a donation depending on whether he is considered a candidate," and noted, "We are currently in the stage of investigating the facts."

Chairman Jung has stated that it does not constitute a donation. He said, "It is true that I sent the flower wreath, but I had no party affiliation while working at the Presidential Office," and added, "I sent it in my personal capacity for a friend's child's wedding."

He also mentioned, "At that time, it was uncertain whether I would run for office or return as chairman of the party organization," and concluded, "I believe it was a personal congratulatory act, so it is not a donation."

The Election Commission plans to determine whether there was a violation of the Public Official Election Act based on the results of the investigation.