= Candidates and political parties that received political funds will be investigated before early August, other political parties, preliminary and full candidates and their PFAs will be investigated by the end of November =

The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea is conducting intensive investigations into the details of campaign cost reimbursement claims and accounting reports related to the 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections.

The NEC plans to expand the investigation period and establish a systemic investigation system regarding political funds as the public has a high interest in the legitimacy and transparency of the income and expenditure of political funds. 

The NEC formed task force teams within the NEC and local election commissions at various levels to conduct a written review of the reimbursement requests, accounting reports and field investigations by the end of November and these will then by cross-examined by the relevant election commission.

The NEC plans to undertake the first stage of the investigation, which will take place until early August, on political parties and candidates who have requested the reimbursement of campaign expenses and will particularly focus on any underreporting or omission of election expenses, any rebates received from or made to any company through an undisclosed deal, any extra pay given to election campaign staff in excess of legal limits and any provision of money and gifts to volunteers for working on the campaign. 

Meanwhile, if a candidate discloses details of their income and expenditure of political funds through the Political Funds Publication System, the candidate will be excluded from the investigation unless any suspicions or objections are raised. 

Following the first stage, the NEC will then investigate the other stakeholders that participated in the election including preliminary and full candidates, their Political Fund Associations (PFAs) and the Political Fund Associations of the main political party office up to the end of November.

The focus of the probe will be on whether or not the income or expenditure of political funds were appropriate or not, for example if any bribery was involved in the recommendation of candidates, investigations into illegal donations including from corporations or organizations, expenditures made outside of the categories in which national subsidies should be used for, fraudulent expenditures including using political funds for private use, correct listing of the property value of candidates and National Assembly members and political funds donated or used by corporations or organizations. 

During the 6th nationwide simultaneous local elections, the NEC conducted 895 investigations, which included pressing 48 charges, making six requests for further investigation and issuing various warnings, which reduced the total of reimbursement claims down by 76.13 billion won ($68 million USD). 

In addition, 21 people who reported cases of the illegal income or expenditure of political funds were awarded a total of 280 million won in prize money. 

The NEC asked for citizens to actively report or provide information on crimes related to political funds, making it clear that "not only are the identities of informers protected by law but also a reward of up to 500 million won is on offer."