Head of fringe party faces detention over banners stoking election-fraud claims, anti-China sentiment

Choi Chang-won, head of the minor opposition party Naeilro Miraero — now renamed Chinmi Yeonhap — is facing possible detention on charges of producing and posting banners that stoked anti-China sentiment and election-fraud allegations using illegal political funds.

Judge Kim Ji-hyeon of Seoul Southern District Court, who handles warrant reviews, conducted a pre-arrest hearing Thursday at 10:30 a.m. on charges of violating the Political Funds Act against Choi.

Choi arrived at Seoul Southern District Court at around 9:59 a.m. Thursday in a black van. He stepped out alongside a police officer, dressed in a gray suit, but kept his lips tightly shut and stared at the ground as he walked into the courthouse without responding to reporters.

Choi is accused of using illegal political funds to produce and post banners expressing anti-China sentiment and promoting allegations of election fraud.

Earlier, a court rejected an arrest warrant Tuesday for a person surnamed Kim, head of a banner-posting group called "Aeguk Hyeonsumaek," who is accused of involvement in posting banners using illegal political funds. Kim also remained silent when reporters asked whether he admitted to the charges and what his position was on the warrant request as he appeared in court that day.

Judge Kim cited the grounds for the rejection, saying it was difficult to conclude there was a risk of flight given Kim's stable residential ties, family relationships and other social connections, as well as his attitude during voluntary appearances before investigators and at the hearing.

Police launched the investigation based on a complaint the National Election Commission filed against Choi on charges of violating the Political Funds Act in July last year.

The Political Funds Act requires that all political fund income and expenditures be managed through a single account registered with the election commission.

Aeguk Hyeonsumaek is believed to have collected donations through an account linked to Naeilro Miraero to fund the production of the banners.