A candidate with 17 criminal records for fraud and violence appeared in the presidential candidate TV debate.

Song Jin-ho independent presidential candidate (right). /Courtesy of YouTube

According to the political circles on the 22nd, independent candidate Song Jin-ho, number 8, participated in the independent presidential candidates' TV debate held at the Sangam SBS studio on the 19th.

Candidate Song said, “Currently, South Korean politics is marred by conflict and confrontation, and has been distorted and transformed into a system that serves specific politicians or parties, ignoring the people. Therefore, the public cannot trust politicians. Now, we must return politics to the people.”

He also noted, “The current South Korean economy is facing a critical crisis where economic sovereignty is shaken, and the lives of the people are threatened, beyond simple recession. I will be a president who overcomes the national economic crisis and turns crises into opportunities to realize a developed economy and a digital financial economy.”

Born in 1968, Song is the only candidate in this presidential election with a high school education. He currently serves as the chairman of the Global Data Asset Guarantee Association, the chairman of the Korea Social Economy Research Institute, and the president of the Dokdo Defense Association, and has reported assets of 288.66 million won. He has also completed military service.

Independent presidential candidate Song Jin-ho submits a criminal record certificate. /Courtesy of National Election Commission

A notable aspect is his 17 criminal records. According to the records released by the National Election Commission, candidate Song Jin-ho was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year suspended sentence for violating the Negotiable Instruments Act in 1997. Subsequently, starting from a 2 million won fine for fraud in 2000, he has received prison time and fines for fraud a total of 12 times. In addition, he has been fined 3 million won for property damage, 3 million won for violating the Labor Standards Act, and 1 million won for bodily injury.