By Kim Rahn
An argument is growing in cyberspace over the National Election Commission’s decision that a 27-year-old candidate for the parliamentary elections reversing her campaign pledge was not in violation of the Election Law.
The commission said Sunday it was not against the law for the ruling Saenuri Party contender, Son Su-jo, to obtain 30 million won for the campaign expenses through ways other than how she had pledged.
The controversy began when Son, who will compete against Moon Jae-in, one of the main opposition Democratic United Party’s most likely presidential candidates, promised to use only 30 million won for the election, a fresh pledge against the usually costly campaigns.
She said she would raise the money by canceling her housing lease contract.
But it was discovered she didn’t cancel the contract but instead borrowed 30 million won from her parents.
Then she said the house owner hadn’t found another tenant and she hasn’t settled the housing issue because she was busy campaigning.
Son said last Friday she had to pay 15 million won to register as a candidate.
Admitting the remaining 15 million was not enough for electioneering, she gave up her earlier pledge to cope on a limited budget.
She added she would use 80 million won that her supporters collected, almost the same amount that other politicians spend.
According to the law, candidates are subject to up to five years in prison or a 30 million won fine if they give false information on their birthplace, career or assets.
But the commission said she didn’t violate the law, because using only 30 million won from the housing lease deposit was only a plan, not a false fact.
Tweeters and bloggers are denouncing the commission’s decision.
Novelist Gong Ji-young said on Twitter, “It seems Son is the only candidate having the privilege of exemption from liability. Somebody please file a complaint against the commission for negligence of duty.”
Seoul National University law professor Cho Kuk also said, “She may not have to take criminal responsibility but has to take political responsibility.
“Is there a studio apartment with a 30 million won deposit in that central Busan village? We need to examine whether a false contract was made to evade tax.”
Regarding the row, Son responded via Twitter, “I’ll never cry although I’m lonely and sad. I’m prepared, so you can attack me as much as you want. Camus said, ‘A good motive may not bring a good result in a short time.’ But I won’t give up my good motive, as the dark won’t cover all the light in the world.”