Na Kyung-won, the United Future Party candidate, registered as a candidate for the 21st general election at the Seoul Dongjak-gu Election Commission on the morning of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Na Kyung-won, the United Future Party candidate running in Dongjak-eul, Seoul, announced that she would take legal action against certain groups' picket protests, which she defined as election interference.
On the afternoon of the 29th, Na's campaign team stated in a press release, "The freedom and rights of election campaigning are being seriously infringed upon by blatant election interference operations from suspicious external forces."
They continued, "On the 28th, members of a group called 'Abe Condemnation Citizen Action (NO JAPAN 415.COM)' installed large advertisements with slogans such as 'Boycott Pro-Japanese Politics' on the road near the candidate's office in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, from around 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, conducting a pro-Japanese framing performance targeting candidate Na throughout the day."
Furthermore, Na's campaign team claimed, "The National Election Commission (NEC) reviewed the regulations, and the police said they were conducting an internal investigation, using these as excuses to shirk responsibility and failing to take official punitive measures against these actions. The NEC only filed a complaint with the police after 5 PM, around the time the group withdrew. This effectively amounted to an election manipulation operation aiding the ruling party candidate."
They added, "Since March 17, the group has been systematically obstructing Na's election campaign by holding pickets with slogans such as 'Always on Abe's side' and 'No need for pro-Japanese politicians' in front of Na's campaign office and at campaign venues, claiming to condemn pro-Japanese politicians. They have framed this general election as a 'Korea-Japan match,' while the Democratic Party candidate strategically nominated in Dongjak-eul has been proclaiming victory 'with the spirit of the independence movement,' which we criticize."
Na's campaign emphasized, "The behavior of left-wing groups and figures, led by the Democratic Party candidate, who are trying to label Na as a pro-Japanese politician, is a serious violation of election law intended to influence the election by making voters perceive Na as such. The NEC and police's illegal tolerance and collusion are absolutely unacceptable election interference."
Finally, they stated, "If the NEC and police continue to remain silent about these illegal acts, they will not be able to escape strict legal judgment in the future. Na's campaign office will take all possible legal measures against anti-democratic forces interfering with the Dongjak-eul election."
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