A court has rejected a police-requested arrest warrant for Yecheon-gun County Chief An Byeong-yun.
Judge Kim Hye-rim of the Sangju Branch of the Daegu District Court held a pre-arrest hearing Monday for An, who faces charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, and rejected the warrant police had sought.
"A substantial portion of the evidence has already been collected, and there is no concern of flight or destruction of evidence," Judge Kim said in explaining the rejection.
An is accused of providing 10 million won ($6,980) in cash to journalists within his constituency ahead of the ninth nationwide simultaneous local elections.
Police had conducted a search and seizure of An's home and office over two days beginning July 25, securing related evidence.
kbj7653@heraldcorp.com
