Kim Kwan-young, who is running as an independent in the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province governor's race, received a no‑indictment notice on a charge of aiding rebellion on May 7.
Yonhap reported that the second special prosecutor's office delivered the no‑indictment notice to Kim at around 6 p.m. that day.
The allegation stems from claims that on Dec. 3, 2024—during a declared state of emergency under former President Yoon Suk-yeol—the Jeonbuk provincial government, following guidance from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, closed the provincial office and cooperated with the regional martial law command. Rep. Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party's candidate for governor, had repeatedly raised the issue.
Kim's campaign said the provincial office received a faxed no‑indictment notice at 6 p.m., and that the document states Kim faces no charges related to aiding rebellion or dereliction of duty.
At a May 4 press briefing, Kim said he would retire from politics if the special prosecutor indicted him in this case, effectively putting his political career on the line.
He added that the pledge was not so much an expression of confidence about avoiding indictment as a statement that politicians must take serious responsibility for their words. He directly challenged Rep. Lee, noting that Lee had said he would stake his political life to establish the facts, and insisting that Lee must therefore accept responsibility in some form.
