What’s Up with the Election Law... Ruling and Opposition Parties Accuse Each Other of 'Microphone Use'

DPRK, 'Lee Jae-myung Microphone Use' Election Law Violation Report
Green Justice Party·Jo Guk Innovation Party, Han Dong-hoon Police Report
Proportional Representation Satellite Parties... Excuse for 'Appealing for Support' Attack

The ruling and opposition parties have filed complaints against each other's leaders over potential violations of the Public Official Election Act.

According to political circles on the 25th, the Clean Election Headquarters of the People Power Party's Central Election Countermeasures Committee announced the day before that they would file a complaint against Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. The reason cited was his remarks supporting the Democratic Union, a satellite party for proportional representation of the opposition, and his use of a microphone during election campaigning disguised as a press conference. The opposition was the first to initiate the 'complaint.' Earlier, the Green Justice Party and the Innovation Party for Justice also announced that they would file complaints with the police, citing Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, for 'illegal election campaigning' due to his 'microphone use.'

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited Jamsil Saemaeul Traditional Market in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 24th, greeted citizens, and held an on-site press conference. From left: Nam In-soon (Songpa-byeong), Song Ki-ho (Songpa-eul), Leader Lee, Jo Jae-hee (Songpa-gap).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Article 59 of the Public Official Election Act stipulates that election campaigning using loudspeakers or similar devices is prohibited outside the official election campaign period. The official campaign period runs from the 28th of this month until the day before the election, which is the 9th of next month.

Election campaigning using only 'speech' without a microphone is allowed at any time. This is why Chairman Han Dong-hoon and Leader Lee Jae-myung visit markets and cup their hands around their mouths to shout. If the purpose of the gathering is a press conference, microphone use is permitted.

However, the ruling party points out that "Leader Lee Jae-myung gathered a large crowd and used a microphone disguised as an on-site press conference as a trick." The opposition also raises issues with Chairman Han Dong-hoon, who used a microphone to 'appeal for support' at the opening ceremonies of the election offices for Yoon Jae-ok, candidate for Daegu Dalseo-gu E, and Jang Dong-hyuk, candidate for Boryeong City and Seocheon County in Chungnam, over two days starting on the 21st.

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is greeting citizens at the traditional market in Dangjin, Chungnam on the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The satellite parties for proportional representation launched by both major parties have also become grounds for attacks. According to Article 88 of the Public Official Election Act, election candidates cannot campaign for candidates of other parties. For example, the Democratic Union is perceived as a satellite party of the Democratic Party, but it is a separate party. However, Leader Lee caused controversy by mentioning on the 23rd in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi Province, that the Democratic Union candidate Seo Seung-man's proportional representation number was 24, and stating, "We must get up to number 24 elected."

Among other confusing rules for candidates is the regulation regarding 'placards.' General election candidates cannot place placards on the ground or set them nearby. They must be attached to the body or hung around the neck.

There is also the issue of 'attire.' Family members who are direct lineal relatives of the candidate can campaign, but the election jumper must have the 'relationship' such as wife, son, or daughter inscribed. Candidates can wear jumpers with their symbols only in open places. While it is allowed to wear the jumper at subway gates connected to the outside, they must remove it once inside the subway.