1 of 2 | Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, casts his ballot in a by-election for chair of the National Assembly’s Climate, Energy, Environment and Labor Committee in Seoul on April 6. Photo by Asia Today
April 10 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s conservative People Power Party on Thursday sharply criticized the decision not to prosecute Rep. Jeon Jae-soo, the Democratic Party’s Busan mayoral candidate, calling it unfair and politically questionable.
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk said the case was closed immediately after Jeon was confirmed as a candidate, arguing that the timing raised serious concerns about impartiality.
The joint investigation team earlier ruled there were no grounds for prosecution in allegations that Jeon received luxury items, citing the statute of limitations.
People Power Party officials said investigators had identified a suspected timeline involving the alleged receipt of a luxury watch and money, and questioned whether the statute of limitations had been properly applied.
They argued that if the value exceeded 30 million won ($20,300), a longer statute of limitations would apply, and called for the investigation to continue.
Floor leader Song Eon-seok accused authorities of applying inconsistent legal standards, while other party officials also strongly criticized the handling of the case.
The People Power Party also urged Jeon to retire from politics.
The party said it would launch a task force to vet what it described as unqualified Democratic Party candidates. First-term lawmaker Seo Cheon-ho will lead the group.
It also approved a rule requiring local party chapter heads to resign immediately if a by-election occurs in their district, formalizing an internal accountability measure.
— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI
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