Gyeongju Mayor Booked Over Voice Message Soliciting Election Support

Gyeongju Mayor Joo Nak-young has been booked over an automated voice message that police say solicited voter support ahead of the June 3 local elections.

The Gyeongbuk Gyeongju Police Station said it booked Joo without detention on suspicion of violating South Korea’s Public Official Election Act. Police allege that he used an automated response system in early April to send the message to voters.

Joo’s side said it had sought the election commission’s opinion before sending the message. Police rejected that position, saying election law permits campaigning by telephone only when the caller and recipient communicate directly. The law bars calls made through automated transmission equipment operated by a computer.

A police official said the message went beyond simply encouraging people to vote because it asked them to support a candidate. Police plan to send the case to prosecutors.

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We determined that the voice message violated the Public Official Election Act because it contained an appeal to support the candidate, rather than merely encouraging people to vote.