Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party "Election of Seoul Council Chairperson to Proceed Transparently and Fairly Within Legal Boundaries"

Seoul City Council Democratic Party Floor Leader Jo Sang-ho Issues Press Release on 6th, Presents Seoul City Election Commission's Inquiry Response Letter, Reaffirms "Conducted Transparently and Fairly"... Also States Will Firmly Respond to Reckless Claims on Legally Confirmed Facts

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party of Korea (Representative Assemblyman Jo Sang-ho, Seodaemun 4) disclosed on the 6th an official letter from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission stating that the recent election of the Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson panel held on June 25 "does not fall under the Public Official Election Act," in response to recent media concerns about the election process.

This disclosure aims to clarify the facts amid some media portraying the June 25 Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson panel election as an illegal or fraudulent election, more than a month after the election, and to prevent unnecessary misunderstandings from spreading.

First, it clearly denies the sensational and provocative claims by some media that the election was illegal or fraudulent due to violations of the Public Official Election Act, and released the inquiry response letter from the Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission.

Furthermore, it stated that it will take firm action against reckless claims about facts already legally confirmed.

Second, it denied the claim that the principle of secret ballot was violated. The Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson panel election, which was submitted as an agenda item in the plenary session, strictly adhered to the principle of secret ballot according to Article 48 of the Local Autonomy Act and other relevant provisions, so any baseless claims should no longer spread.

Third, it clarified that the claim made by some media that the decision-making authority of minority parties was infringed upon was merely a one-sided political attack. The entire election process proceeded peacefully, and there were no tangible or intangible obstacles to the exercise of voting rights by minority parties.

However, it noted that the election procedures for the Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson panel have traditionally been conducted as part of the organizational formation process through agreements among negotiation groups, which has been accepted as a precedent. During this process, minority parties outside the negotiation groups were also given prior explanations about candidates and plenary session procedures as a form of consideration.

Lastly, the Seoul Metropolitan Council Democratic Party emphasized that during the party's internal primary on June 23, a joint candidate debate was held in advance, and for the first time in local councils nationwide, the entire process was broadcast live on the internet, ensuring transparency and fairness.

In particular, besides the joint candidate debate, separate individual candidate presentations were held, all participating assembly members submitted their mobile phones in advance, and unauthorized filming inside the voting booths was prohibited. Despite this strict election management, a fellow assembly member illegally filmed inside the voting booth during the plenary session agenda process on June 25. Without presenting legal grounds, claims that the Seoul Metropolitan Council chairperson panel election was invalid are damaging the trust of not only fellow Seoul assembly members but also all members including affiliated public officials.

Additionally, Representative Assemblyman Jo Sang-ho stated, "We see the raised issues as misunderstandings stemming from the lack of detailed regulations on the registration and election process of chairperson panel candidates in local council elections handled as plenary session agendas. We will specifically review the issues raised and seek improvement measures."

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