Wife of Rep. Kang Seok-jin of the ruling Saenuri Party was booked without detention for violating the Public Official Election Act, the Changwon District Prosecutors’ Office said Tuesday.

The wife, identified by the prosecutors with her surname Shin, is being accused of providing a local university student with cash, food and a promise of a clothing item worth over 200,000 won ($180) in return for spreading favorable comments about her husband, who was running for the candidacy in the regional election. 

According to the relevant law, if Shin is found guilty, she will not only land herself a minimum fine of 3 million won, but also cost her husband Kang his position at the National Assembly.

Kang is a first-time lawmaker representing the southeastern city of Changwon.

Shin allegedly met the student, who attended the university where she lectured, in early January and treated him to food worth roughly 40,000 won.

At the end of the same month, Shin reportedly gave the student 100,000 won in cash and promised to buy him a T-shirt worth over 200,000 won.

The prosecutors added they had a voice file in which Shin promised a monetary reward to a voter in another vote-buying case.

Shin reportedly denied most of the charges.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)