Jeong Jae-seok, head of North Jeolla Teachers' Union, files new complaint
Police also probing allegations that campaign supporter covered meal costs
![Cheon Ho-seong, superintendent of education for North Jeolla Province, speaks at the 108th General Assembly of the Korean Council of Superintendents of Education held at The May Hotel in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. [Yonhap]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/10/01/rcv.YNA.20260715.PYH2026071518450005501_P1.jpg)
Cheon Ho-seong, superintendent of education for North Jeolla Province, who was previously reported to police on charges of violating the Political Funds Act, now faces an additional complaint alleging violations of the Public Official Election Act.
Jeong Jae-seok, chairman of the North Jeolla Teachers' Union, filed the complaint with police Thursday, accusing Cheon of vote-buying and other inducements under the Public Official Election Act. Jeong had earlier filed a separate complaint against Cheon on charges of violating the Political Funds Act.
One of the central issues in the new complaint is a recently disclosed audio recording related to 500 million won ($369,000). A controversy surrounding a Telegram group chat called "Cheon Sarang" that emerged during the June 3 local elections has also resurfaced as a subject of investigation.
The camp of Lee Nam-ho, who ran against Cheon in that election, alleged that the group chat — which included numerous school staff — was used for illegal pre-election campaigning. Cheon maintained that the activity amounted to seeking advice rather than campaigning, but the new complaint is said to include claims that this explanation is false.
Separately, police are also looking into another alleged election law violation involving Cheon. The allegation concerns a gathering held at a Jeonju restaurant in March, at which the head of Cheon's support association is said to have paid for the meal on behalf of attendees — a potential third-party contribution.
Cheon's office has denied the allegations. His camp said there was no illegal conduct related to the Political Funds Act violations or other charges, and dismissed related media reports as inaccurate.
On the meal-payment allegation, his office said Cheon was not present at the dinner and that the support association head had simply treated volunteers to a meal as a gesture of appreciation.
Police said they have received the new complaint and are reviewing its contents. They plan to assign the case and then verify the specific facts and related allegations.
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