INCHEON — With the statute of limitations for election-law violations in the June 3 local elections falling on Dec. 3, Incheon police are entering the final stretch of their investigations. Authorities say they will close the cases before the deadline without delay or confusion, despite a sweeping overhaul of the justice system that abolishes the Prosecution Service and creates a new Public Prosecution Office.
Incheon Police Commissioner Yoo Seung-ryeol said at a regular press briefing on the 30th, held in the press room on the second floor of police headquarters, that election-law cases carry a six-month statute of limitations and must be investigated before Dec. 3. "There are concerns that cases could be delayed or tangled up as the Prosecution Service is abolished and the Public Prosecution Office is launched, but that is not the case at all," he said. He added that police have completed initial consultations with existing prosecutors so that investigative findings transfer smoothly into the new office's indictment work, and pledged swift handling through close cooperation.
According to the Incheon Metropolitan Police Agency, a total of 114 election-law cases involving 188 people have been filed in connection with the local elections. Of those, 73 have been closed — 23 referred to prosecutors and 50 closed without referral — for a clearance rate of 64%. The investigations have swept up a number of current and former heavyweight figures in Incheon politics. Former Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok has been the subject of a search and seizure, and 10 related individuals have been questioned over allegations that he failed to disclose cryptocurrency holdings. Nam Young-hee, Incheon's vice mayor for global city affairs, and Son Hwa-jung, head of Yeongjong District, have also completed questioning, with their cases now under legal review. Kim Jin-gyu, head of Geomdan District, was searched on Sept. 14 on suspicion of spreading false information, part of compulsory investigative measures.
Attention has focused in particular on the appointment of a suspect from Incheon Education Superintendent Do Seong-hoon's campaign to a key post at the city education office, raising the possibility that the probe could expand into whether the appointment amounted to a quid pro quo. The suspect, referred to authorities by the election commission over allegations of providing meals during the campaign, was named director of policy planning and coordination, a post overseeing education office policy and a budget of about 5 trillion won ($3.8 billion). The appointment has drawn criticism as a reward or favor.
Yoo said police would investigate as required by law if there are grounds for suspicion and investigative leads emerge, leaving open the possibility of a broader inquiry into whether the post was given in exchange for something. Separately from the election-law statute of limitations, analysts say the case could expand into a second investigation examining favoritism in personnel decisions and whether bribery was involved after the suspect is indicted. Police have so far questioned 18 people, including those named in complaints and witnesses.
An investigation into allegations of influence-peddling to secure a job for the daughter of former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, now in its 10th month, is also likely to conclude this year. Police have conducted 39 rounds of questioning involving 29 suspects and witnesses and carried out four searches.
"The volume of material for forensic analysis was vast, so it took time, but there has been no political consideration whatsoever," Commissioner Yoo said. "We will not drag this out any longer and will wrap up the investigation as quickly as possible."
