Jin-tae Kim, Election Commission's Sharp Rebuke for Netizens Requesting Investigation into Lee Jae-myung's Sister-in-law Insult Comments

The Election Commission, "Cannot Disclose Reasons for Applying False Information Publication Crime and Candidate Defamation Crime"

Kim Jin-tae, People Power Party 'Lee Jae-myung Corruption' National Verification Special Committee Chairman Twitter Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] When the National Election Commission requested an investigation into a netizen who posted a comment criticizing Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, for his 'insulting his sister-in-law,' Kim Jin-tae, the Special Chairman of the People Power Party's Lee Jae-myung Corruption Public Verification Special Committee (Chuncheon Gap Party Branch Chairman), sharply criticized the commission.

The National Election Commission reportedly informed that it requested a police investigation into the netizen, stating, "Comments claiming that the candidate committed an immoral act against his sister-in-law and had an affair with an actress constitute the publication of false facts and defamation related to the candidate."

On the 6th, Special Chairman Kim posted on SNS, "Is it not allowed to comment that Lee Jae-myung's 'insulting his sister-in-law' is immoral?" and added, "The Election Commission has requested an investigation into the netizen who posted the comment."

He continued, "Lee Jae-myung said it himself, so is that false information? Is calling immorality immorality considered defamation of the candidate? The candidate is the one who cursed, so why should the public bear the responsibility?" criticizing the commission.

Special Chairman Kim pointed out, "The Election Commission previously stated that distributing the recording file of the sister-in-law insult does not violate election laws," adding, "If the main body is not involved, the branches cannot be either. This is not Hong Gil-dong who cannot call his elder brother or father; immorality is immorality."

Earlier, when the Democratic Party requested a legal interpretation regarding the distribution of the recording file of Lee Jae-myung's 'insulting his sister-in-law' last month, the Election Commission responded that it could not be considered a violation of election laws.

The commission stated, "It is difficult to conclude that merely distributing the original recording file containing the candidate's insults violates Article 251 of the Public Official Election Act concerning defamation of a candidate."

However, it added, "Arbitrarily editing the insulting parts and posting or distributing them via the internet, SNS, or text messages is unlikely to be regarded as truthful facts concerning the public interest."

Nonetheless, regarding the application of false fact publication and candidate defamation charges, the commission stated, "We cannot disclose matters related to the investigation request."

On the internet, criticism continues, accusing the Election Commission of "violating its duty of election neutrality."

Comments under the related news include, "It is deplorable and deserving of criticism that the Election Commission, which should maintain neutrality, is interfering in the presidential election," "The person who cursed is at fault, not the person criticizing the curse," "Is the Election Commission part of Lee Jae-myung's election campaign???", and "The cursing is a fact. He admitted it himself... so why an investigation????"

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