Seoul: Police have referred former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn to the prosecution over allegations of running an illegal election campaign during the presidential election earlier this year, officials said Wednesday. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has indicated that Hwang was recently referred to the prosecution for allegedly establishing a quasi-election institution, which is in violation of the Public Official Election Act.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Article 89 of the law prohibits individuals from creating or operating any organizations that resemble election campaigning entities outside of officially designated campaign and liaison offices. Hwang, who participated in the June presidential election, is accused of directing members of his group, known as the Election Justice and Anti-corruption Army, to disrupt voting in an attempt to sway the election results.

The National Election Commission lodged a complaint against Hwang in May, just a week prior to the presidential election, citing alleged breaches of election law. Subsequently, the police conducted raids on Hwang's residence and the premises of the organization, successfully obtaining internal documents as part of their probe into the matter.