Democratic Party Threatens Legal Action Over Alleged Falsehoods in Unverified 'Death List' of Bottom 20%

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea's Public Office Election Candidate Recommendation Management Committee (Gonggwanwi) has warned that it will take legal action against the distribution of an unverified list of the bottom 20% of incumbent lawmakers, so-called ‘Salsengbu’.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 24th, Gonggwanwi announced, “Recently, someone has been distributing a false list of the bottom 20% online, causing confusion and harm to the individuals named on the list and voters,” adding, “The distribution of false lists is a clear criminal act punishable under Article 250 (False Statement Publication Crime) of the Public Official Election Act.”

It further emphasized, “We will firmly respond with a zero-tolerance legal approach to acts that confuse prospective candidates and voters by spreading baseless false information and disrupt the party’s candidate recommendation process and election order.”

Gonggwanwi stated, “We inform you that the (bottom 20% list) has never been disclosed under any circumstances,” adding, “Currently, the evaluation results of the Democratic Party’s 20th National Assembly members are strictly confidential according to the party’s constitution and regulations.”

The Democratic Party’s Gonggwanwi plans to individually notify those who fall into the bottom 20% of incumbent lawmakers on the 28th. Prior to the notification, an unverified list containing lawmakers’ real names circulated, sparking controversy both inside and outside the party.