[Comprehensive] "Anti-Japanese Purge, Eradication of Deep-rooted Evils, Livelihood Collapse" Election Commission "None Can Be Used"

Election Commission "Regrets Some Confusion That Occurred"

On the afternoon of the 5th, Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party candidate running for Dongjak-eul in the April 15 general election, appealed for support near Namseong Station in Dongjak-gu (left), while Na Kyung-won, the United Future Party candidate, was appealing for support on the road near Namseong Station. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The National Election Commission (NEC) announced on the 13th that it will prohibit activities encouraging voting participation using banners and placards containing content such as 'cleansing pro-Japanese collaborators.' However, after initially allowing this and then reversing the decision following strong opposition from the United Future Party, controversy is expected to arise surrounding this issue.

The NEC held a plenary meeting on the same day and decided on the 'Operational Standards for Activities Encouraging Voting Participation.' The NEC stated that all voting encouragement activities using banners and placards containing content that could influence the election, such as 'livelihood destruction,' 'eradication of deep-rooted evils,' and 'cleansing pro-Japanese collaborators,' will not be permitted. Accordingly, voting encouragement activities including slogans like '100 years of cleansing pro-Japanese collaborators through voting, 70 years of eradicating deep-rooted evils through voting' will also not be allowed.

Initially, the Dongjak-gu NEC in Seoul permitted the slogans '100 years of cleansing pro-Japanese collaborators' and '70 years of eradicating deep-rooted evils' included in the campaign of Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party candidate, on the 30th of last month.

On the other hand, the NEC prohibited the use of slogans such as 'livelihood destruction' and 'lies OUT' presented by Na Kyung-won, the United Future Party candidate, on the 11th, stating that they evoke the current government and the opposing candidate, respectively.

Regarding this, the Dongjak-gu NEC explained the reason for approval by stating, "The phrase '100 years' is a term encompassing past pro-Japanese collaborators and is judged unlikely to be seen as supporting or opposing a specific party or candidate or implying a particular party."

This has sparked controversy as some argue that the NEC allowed activities by Lee Su-jin of the Democratic Party in Dongjak but blocked those by Na Kyung-won of the United Future Party.

In this regard, on the 13th, the United Future Party's Media Special Committee issued a press release stating, "With the NEC joining as a player for the ruling party, it is already difficult for our United Future Party players to even stand on this tilted playing field," and added, "We plan to file a criminal complaint for abuse of authority against those responsible for the NEC's relevant legal interpretation."

The Special Committee said, "The election management work, which should be strict, has become a comedy. This is the height of 'Ihyeonryeongbihyeonryeong' (earrings when hung on the ear, nose rings when hung on the nose)," and added, "We plan to hold the NEC accountable for its biased election management even after the election."

In response, the NEC expressed regret, stating, "We regret that some confusion occurred during the legal regulation process at the grassroots committee level."

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