Police Launch Full-Scale Crackdown System on General Election Offenders... "Strict Neutrality"

Ahead of Candidate Registration Day on the 26th
'Gapho Emergency' Declared on Election Day

On the morning of the 13th, in front of the Election Crime Investigation Situation Room for the 21st National Assembly election at the Seoul Seodaemun-gu Police Agency, Min Gap-ryong, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and other attendees are holding a plaque unveiling ceremony. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] With the 21st National Assembly election scheduled for the 15th of next month, the police are launching an all-out crackdown on election-related offenses.

The National Police Agency announced on the 23rd that it will activate a 'three-stage crackdown system' on the 26th of this month, the candidate registration day, mobilizing the maximum number of available police officers.

From 30 days before the election day, party member gatherings and education will be prohibited, and from two weeks before the election, holding assemblies or meetings that could influence the election will be restricted. Additionally, from one week before the election, the publication of public opinion poll results will be banned. On election day, election campaigning is not allowed.

The police plan to prioritize dispatch and action upon receiving reports of election-related offenses according to these prohibition and restriction regulations based on the election schedule. Furthermore, as election campaigning intensifies, they expect an increase in illegal activities such as ▲damaging banners and posters ▲election violence ▲distribution of money or goods ▲spreading false information, and will strengthen crackdowns accordingly.

Moreover, starting from the 2nd of next month, when election campaigning becomes full-scale, the police will issue a 'heightened alert' to all police stations and operate a joint 'Integrated Election Security Situation Room' combining security, intelligence, and protection functions. On election day, a 'Gapho Emergency' will be declared to prepare for any contingencies. Gapho Emergency is the highest level of police emergency duty, prohibiting police officers from taking leave and mobilizing all available personnel.

A police official stated, "We will maintain a strict neutral stance and thoroughly comply with legal procedures to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings such as biased investigations or election interference during the investigation process."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.