NEC, “Furnish Data about Money Transaction”

Regarding the 17th general election, the National Election Commission (NEC) activated the right of requesting data. On April 9, NEC announced that they requested to furnish data about the money transaction of 11 candidates who are highly suspicious of violating the general election law. Since the list includes two current congressmen and five or six candidates, it is expected that someone’s election might be declared invalid.

After asking and examining 20 cases concerning money transaction related to 11 candidates, NEC found three illegal transactions, of which two cases were reported and the other brought to the prosecutor. Other cases are still under investigation.

This was the first arrangement regarding a request for data about money transaction. Especially, this was the first investigation of data about money transaction during the period of the general election.

Until now, the investigation of NEC about the inflow and outflow of election funds was possible after the election. Due to the revision of the election law, however, NEC is able to ask and investigate the data of the candidates.

Min-Hyuk Park mhpark@donga.com