The Korea Herald

지나쌤

Polling agency raided over alleged illegal electioneering

By KH디지털2

Published : April 14, 2017 - 17:38

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Prosecutors on Friday raided a local polling agency over allegations a lawmaker collaborated with it to carry out a biased survey on the upcoming presidential election.

The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office said it raided two locations, including the pollster’s office, and confiscated relevant materials, including computer hard disks.

Rep. Yeom Dong-yeol of the conservative Liberty Korea Party. (Yonhap) Rep. Yeom Dong-yeol of the conservative Liberty Korea Party. (Yonhap)

The National Election Commission on Thursday filed a petition with the prosecution seeking an investigation into allegations Rep. Yeom Dong-yeol of the conservative Liberty Korea Party colluded with the agency to carry out the survey with unfavorable information on Moon Jae-in, the presidential candidate for the liberal Democratic Party of Korea. The identity of the pollster was withheld.

Yeom and the polling agency are suspected of conducting the survey last month based on biased phrases that could have a negative influence on Moon.

Yeom is the chief of the strategy planning team for Hong Joon-pyo, the conservative party’s presidential candidate.

It was the first raid carried out by the prosecution in relation to the May 9 presidential election.

Prosecutors said they will review the confiscated materials and summon related figures for further investigation. (Yohnap)