Police raid office linked to People Power Party official Ham Un-kyung over alleged political funds violations

Police have launched their first compulsory investigative action into allegations that Ham Un-kyung, the People Power Party’s district organization chief in Seoul’s Mapo-B, violated the Political Funds Act.

Mapo Police Station searched on the afternoon of the 1st the office of the Civic Megacity Research Institute, a nonprofit organization reportedly founded with Ham’s involvement. The organization allegedly collected operating expenses from district council members by force and effectively functioned as a local political office.

The allegations emerged after a People Power Party member filed a complaint against Ham in April. The complaint says Ham forced five Mapo district council members to contribute 4 million won each to raise the 20 million won deposit for the office lease.

Ham strongly denies the allegations. He filed his own complaint against the original complainant, alleging false reporting and defamation through the publication of false information.