By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
A county in South Chungcheong Province is sizzling over an election scandal involving its local government head and residents.
Daejeon District Prosecutors said more than 40 people in Yeongi County reported irregularities during an amnesty period, during which they could be pardoned.
Those who turned themselves in said they received 100,000-400,000 won ($100-400) each to vote for Choi Jun-seop, who is already under arrest for violating the Election Law. The by-election for the county head was held Dec. 19 and Choi won.
According to an aide, identified by his family name Oh, there are more than 100 people who received money from last September to December in return for their votes.
Prosecutors said Oh kept a list of beneficiaries and is expecting more people to admit their guilt. ``We are receiving about 10 phone calls a day asking about the procedure,'' a prosecutor said, adding that the bribe recipient would be pardoned if they report themselves to the prosecution by March 5.
However, some residents alleged that certain public officials there are trying to subvert such actions.
A resident wrote an article on the government website identifying those who tried to obstruct the surrender. ``Some said we have to pay up to 50 times the money we received as a fine and told us not to say a word,'' the article said. The prosecutors are also investigating those listed in the article.
The case seems familiar to that in Cheongdo, North Gyeongsang Province, last year. The bribery and electioneering scandal involving the local election led to 48 arrests and 1,210 residents being granted amnesty. During the investigation, two people killed themselves out of alleged guilt and concern about the aftermath of the election.