The case of Pastor Choi Jae-young, who is suspected of secretly filming the scene of handing a high-end bag to First Lady Kim Gun-hee, the wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, is being investigated by the police for damaging the honor of a ruling party lawmaker and engaging in illegal election campaigning before the upcoming general election.
The Gyeonggi Southern Provincial Police Agency’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Division is currently investigating Pastor Choi on charges of defamation and violation of election laws.
In March, Pastor Choi mentioned lawmaker Lee Cheol-kyu of the People Power Party and Mrs. Kim during a lecture in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, and is accused of defaming the lawmaker.
Following this incident, the lawmaker’s side claimed the damages and filed a complaint with the police.
Moreover, Pastor Choi is also under police investigation for illegal election campaigning on behalf of former regional party chairman Choi Jae-gwan, who ran as a Democratic Party candidate for the Yeoju and Yangpyeong constituencies in the 22nd general election.
During the lecture, Pastor Choi was reported to have made remarks endorsing a specific candidate, saying, “Choi Jae-gwan must carry out the work without fail.”
The current Public Official Election Act prohibits pastors from engaging in election campaigning within the church using their position.
A police official stated that they cannot provide detailed information about the ongoing investigation.
Previously in February, a conservative citizen’s group reported Pastor Choi and the person from Seoul Voice who revealed the filmed footage for allegations including trespassing.
The police are planning to investigate whether the process of filming and disseminating the footage of Pastor Choi handing the high-end bag to Mrs. Kim was illegal.
[Photo source: Yonhap News]