"Please Make a Regret-Free Choice" Heo Kyung-young's Controversial Phone Calls Encouraging Voting in the General Election

Mr. A received a phone call on the 4th from the number of Heo Kyung-young, the leader of the National Revolutionary Dividend Party. / Photo by Lim Ju-hyung, Asia Economy intern reporter

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 4th, a worker in their 20s, Mr. A, received a call from a number starting with the Seoul area code '02'.

The call featured a recorded message in the voice of Heo Kyung-young, leader of the National Revolutionary Dividend Party, encouraging voting in the general election with messages such as "Many are worried because of COVID-19," "You should carefully consider which policies are best for you and your family's future," and "Please vote without regret."

Mr. A said, "I usually don't answer calls from unknown numbers, but since it was election season, I thought it was a poll call, so I answered. I was surprised to hear Heo Kyung-young's voice."

With about 40 days left until the April 15 general election, Heo Kyung-young's voting encouragement calls have become controversial.

The number known to be used by Heo, '02-3**5-**63', has been reported over 691 times on spam call registration websites.

Some netizens shared their experiences by posting screenshots of call logs showing Heo's number on online communities. They reacted with amusement, saying things like "It's amazing to get a call from the party leader," and "It was an interesting experience."

However, other netizens expressed discomfort, saying, "I don't know how they got my personal information to call me," and "It felt unsettling."

Heo founded the National Revolutionary Dividend Party on August 15 last year. The party's core pledge is to provide a 'national dividend' of 1.5 million KRW per person to all citizens aged 20 and over, and to pay an additional 700,000 KRW monthly to seniors aged 65 and above on top of the national dividend.

According to the Central Election Management Committee, as of the morning of the 5th, the National Revolutionary Dividend Party has registered 1,009 preliminary candidates for this general election, accounting for over 40% of the total 2,450 registered candidates.