South Korean Election Candidates Spent 469.3 Billion Won

Candidates participating in South Korea's 6/3 local elections and related by-elections spent a combined total of 469.3 billion won (approximately $340 million USD), according to the National Election Commission (NEC).

The NEC reported that 54 candidates for provincial governor collectively spent 51.18 billion won, averaging about 94 million won per candidate. One gubernatorial candidate notably spent 4.88 billion won, while the minimum expenditure was 31 million won. For the superintendent of education elections, 58 candidates disbursed a total of 73.23 billion won, with an average of 126 million won per candidate. The highest spender in this category reported 4.83 billion won, with the lowest at 11 million won.

In the National Assembly by-elections, 47 candidates spent a total of 6.56 billion won, averaging approximately 140 million won each. The highest expenditure in these races was 299 million won, and the lowest was 17 million won.

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The National Election Commission will conduct intensive investigations into violations such as false reporting and illegal expenditures, including intentional reduction or omission of election costs and political funds.

The NEC stated it will conduct thorough investigations into alleged violations, including the intentional understatement or omission of election expenses and illegal spending. Those who report such financial irregularities in political funds will be eligible for rewards of up to 500 million won, with their identities strictly protected by law.

Citizens can access the financial records of political parties and candidates by visiting their local election commissions or through the election statistics system website, which will host the data until January 11, 2027. The NEC encourages active reporting and provides a mechanism for individuals to file objections to reported accounting details with supporting documentation.

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Rewards of up to 500 million won will be paid to those who report political fund crimes, and the identity of the reporter will be strictly protected by law.