Several lawmakers-elect of the opposition camp are under probe for falsely claiming to have united with their rivals ahead of last Wednesday’s general election.

According to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office on Sunday, up to five opposition lawmakers-elect are facing prosecutorial investigation for using the term “unified opposition candidate” during campaigning.

The parliamentary badge to be worn by the members of the incoming 20th National Assembly. YonhapThe list included former Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil, Hong Young-pyo and Shin Dong-keun -- all affiliated with The Minjoo Party of Korea and elected in the western metropolitan city of Incheon.

It was Song’s local rival Choi Won-sik of the minority opposition People’s Party who brought the charge, citing a breach of the Public Official Election Act.

“Song repeatedly called himself the ‘unified opposition candidate’ in his speeches, interviews, posters and brochures, though he had not fully achieved a candidacy unity, which clearly constitutes the announcement and spread of false information,” Choi said.

Roh Hoe-chan of the far-left minority Justice Party is also facing similar charges for describing himself as the sole opposition runner in his South Gyeongsang constituency.

These opposition figures are among the 98 lawmakers-elect who are currently facing probes over various alleged violation of the election law.

The litigation battle between the Minjoo Party and the People’s Party was mostly due to the latter’s backlash against the former’s call for unity.

The expression “sole opposition candidate” does not hold effect in the case of partial candidate unification, according to the fledgling party that won the third-largest parliamentary proportion in last week’s race.

Such was the court’s ruling on Justice Party candidate Kim Sung-jin who, after forming unity with the Minjoo Party counterpart, referred to himself as the sole opposition runner.

“The expression may delude voters that the No. 2 opposition People’s Party also took part in the united candidacy, which was not the case,” the Incheon District Court said earlier.

Should the charge be upheld by the top court, the accused lawmakers-elect will face penalties, including possible annulment of their elected position.

The Public Official Election Act states that an elected official is to be stripped of his or her position should he or she be given a fine of 1 million won ($870) or more for breach of election law or the political fund law.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)