Suncheon mayor tells staff 'don't be rattled' as police search his office

South Jeolla Provincial Police's anti-corruption unit executes warrant over allegations of illegal political funds ahead of local elections

Police investigating allegations that Suncheon Mayor Son Hun-mo illegally received political funds during his candidacy ahead of the June 3 local elections carried out a search and seizure of his office Wednesday.

Three investigators from the South Jeolla Provincial Police Agency's Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Investigation Unit 2 arrived at the mayor's office on the second floor of Suncheon City Hall in Jangcheon-dong at around 8 a.m. and executed a search warrant, seizing documents and other materials over roughly 40 minutes.

Son was at his office at the time and did not resist. He told staff not to be rattled and continued with routine mayoral duties, including a Chuseok special telephone interview with KBS Suncheon that took place around 8:30 a.m.

The search was prompted by the release of a recording that appeared to show a member of Son's campaign receiving money from a businessman ahead of the June 3 local elections. Investigators are seeking to determine whether Son was involved.

In the recording, which media reported at the time, a businessman is heard using expressions such as "five" and "ten" in a conversation with a campaign associate, in what investigators believe may refer to sums of money.

The anti-corruption unit is investigating whether Son conspired in advance with campaign associates to receive political funds.

Police had also searched a campaign associate's home and other locations on May 13, securing some materials.

Son has consistently denied the allegations, saying the matter involved a private financial transaction between a campaign associate and a businessman that had nothing to do with him. He is expected to release a statement on the search soon.