Independent candidate Kim Kwan-young received a no-charge notice from the second special prosecutor team led by Kwon Chang-young regarding insurrection charges on May 7.
Kim received the notice around 6 p.m. and stated, "We received the no-charge notice via fax at the provincial office," confirming that there were no allegations of insurrection or dereliction of duty.
The allegations stemmed from actions taken by the Jeonbuk provincial government during former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, which included closing the provincial office and cooperating with the regional martial law command. Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party's candidate for Jeonbuk governor, had raised concerns about possible insurrection.
In a press conference on May 4, Kim had stated, "If the special prosecutor indicts me, I will retire from politics," emphasizing that politicians must be accountable for their statements. He also called for Lee to take political responsibility, as Lee had promised to clarify the facts surrounding the allegations.
However, some in the political sphere questioned whether the investigation was warranted based solely on the allegations. Critics argued that the provincial government's actions during the martial law should have undergone thorough legal review before a formal investigation was initiated.
With the special prosecutor's no-charge decision, Kim is expected to continue his campaign for the Jeonbuk governorship.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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