Gambling Allegations Intensify Among Candidates as South Korean Elections Approach

(AsiaGameHub) –   With less than a month remaining before the South Korean elections, gambling has emerged as a central issue, with candidates exchanging accusations and the President offering commentary on the matter.

Earlier this month, election campaigning in South Jeolla Province and Gwangju turned into a verbal battle centered around gambling.

During a televised debate, a candidate accused Kim Dae-jung, the incumbent superintendent of the province, of “hanging around near a gambling den” during a business trip.

Since then, Kim admitted to visiting a casino at the hotel where he was staying for a work event but denied that he gambled there.

His rivals have described his explanation as “illogical.” Meanwhile, Kim’s representatives claim his opponents are conducting a “smear campaign” ahead of the June 3 vote.

South Korean Elections: Casino Allegations Continue

As the election approaches, one leading contender has demanded a public investigation. The rival, Lee Jeong-seon, urged Kim to “clarify the allegations” through a “joint fact-finding investigation.”

“We call on Kim to step forward and publicly discuss this issue in a debate,” said a spokesperson for Lee Jeong-seon’s campaign, according to the South Korean news outlet News1. “If Kim has nothing to hide, there is no reason to avoid it. If he refuses or evades our request, we will view it as an attempt to conceal the allegations.”

Kim’s camp responded with a statement rejecting the claims. “[My rivals] keep portraying me as someone who illegally gambles,” the superintendent said. “As I previously stated, I recall going to a hotel casino, but I did not engage in illegal gambling. In fact, I can’t even play go-stop [a popular low-stakes Korean card game].”

Kim’s spokespeople asked his opponents to stop “repeatedly raising doubts” and instead “present evidence.”

“If they cannot provide any proof, they should issue an apology,” said Kim.

Gambling Convicts Named

Controversies involving gambling are not limited to the race for education superintendent in South Jeolla Province and Gwangju.

In other parts of the country, media outlets have been investigating reports revealing that numerous convicted individuals are running for office on June 3—including several with histories of habitual gambling.

While the original report did not name any specific candidates, MBC, South Korea’s national broadcaster, has identified many of them in a recent segment.

Among those named is Choi Eun-sik, a candidate for the Okcheon County Council and a member of the main opposition People Power Party.

Choi is reportedly convicted of two gambling offenses, along with charges related to drunk driving, operating a vehicle without a license, and assault.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party’s Chungju City Council candidate, Shim Jae-ik, is said to have seven criminal convictions, including one for gambling.

Another candidate named with a prior gambling conviction is the People Power Party nominee Lee Jae-myung in Jincheon.

President Issues Another Gambling Warning

Although President Lee Jae-myung avoided directly commenting on candidates’ gambling-related convictions or casino allegations, he made gambling-related remarks in a recent social media post.

“Illegal lending and gambling are signs of national decline,” the President wrote, as reported by the South Korean newspaper Seoul Kyungjae.

The comments echo the President’s earlier warnings from late last year, when he cautioned that increased gambling could “lead to the downfall” of the nation.

Politicians in South Korea must carefully navigate issues surrounding gambling regulation. The country generates substantial tax revenue from casinos, particularly in tourist destinations like Jeju Island.

Jeju-based casino operator Lotte Tour Development recently reported record quarterly earnings amid growing foreign tourism on the island.