Trump Includes North Korea Among Possible Election Interference Forces

Reiteration of Mail-in Voting Issues
Russia, China, Iran, North Korea Among 4 Countries Mentioned

[Asia Economy International Department Reporter] U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly mentioned the problems of mail-in voting in connection with the possibility of foreign election interference, citing North Korea along with Russia, China, and Iran as potential interfering forces.

On the 7th (local time), during a press conference held at his private resort in Bedminster, New Jersey, President Trump raised the issue of mail-in voting while responding to questions about intelligence agencies' assessments of the possibility of Russian and Chinese interference in the U.S. presidential election.

He said, "The biggest risk we have is mail-in voting," and added, "It is called 'universal mail-in voting.' Whether it is Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, or many other countries, it is much easier for them to forge and send ballots." He further stated, "It is much easier for them to commit fraud with universal mail-in voting."

This was another expression of rejection toward mail-in voting, emphasizing that it could be an easy means for foreign election interference and manipulation.

President Trump reiterated, "So one of the things we need to look at is exactly that. It is a big problem. It is a big problem."

Regarding election interference, he also mentioned that China might be the biggest threat, saying, "We will find out. We want to keep an eye on all of them. We have to be very careful."

When President Trump abruptly proposed postponing the presidential election on the 30th of last month, citing concerns that mail-in voting could lead to fraud or election irregularities, he also claimed that "the Democrats know that mail-in voting is the easiest way for foreign countries to interfere in the election."

President Trump's mention of North Korea on this day appears to be in line with the Trump administration's ongoing caution against foreign election interference, identifying these four countries as potential interfering forces.

Earlier, on the 20th of last month, Paul Nakasone, Director of the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and Commander of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, also identified North Korea along with Russia, China, and Iran as forces that influenced the 2016 U.S. election, repeatedly warning about the possibility of cyber election interference in this election and announcing a strong response policy.