Opposition Candidates Carrying 'Daepa' to Polling Stations... Election Commission Says "Not Allowed"

Lee Jae-myung, Gong Young-woon and Other Opposition Candidates Line Up
Opposition: "We Can't Live Like This... Condemn the Government"
Election Commission: "Intentional and Political Acts Are Not Allowed"

“Is it allowed to bring green onions to the polling station?”

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited Dongmun Market in Jecheon City, Chungbuk Province on the 27th of last month, engaging in conversations with citizens while holding up a green onion.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the first day of early voting for the 22nd National Assembly election on the 5th, Jeon Jin-sook, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate for Gwangju Buk-gu Eul, is holding a "daepa" (green onion) in front of the early voting station in Yongbong-dong at Chonnam National University, encouraging young people to vote.
[Photo by Jeon’s campaign Facebook page]

Regarding the Central Election Commission’s (CEC) distribution of a document on the first day of early voting, the 5th, which included a directive prohibiting the possession of green onions at the polling site, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, responded on his social media with “I am speechless.”

On that day, Lee shared an article conveying the CEC’s position on his X (formerly Twitter) account and posted a brief message expressing his reaction.

Earlier that morning, the Central Election Commission sent a document titled “Guidelines for Handling Expected Complaints at Polling Stations” to district and city election commissions, instructing staff on how to handle potential complaint situations at polling stations. The guidelines included a directive stating, “Polling managers and clerks should ask voters carrying green onions to store them in an appropriate place outside the early voting station before entering.”

A CEC official explained, “There was an inquiry about whether it was permissible to bring green onions to early voting stations as a form of protest against the Yoon administration, so we provided guidance at the polling stations. We responded that it is restricted because it could influence voters and disrupt the fair conduct of voting.” However, after voting, voters are allowed to take photos holding green onions outside the early voting station as proof of voting.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is conducting an on-site price inspection while listening to an explanation from Yeom Gi-dong, CEO of Nonghyup Distribution, at the vegetable section of the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 18th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 18th of last month, President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the Nonghyup Hanaro Mart Yangjae branch in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to check prices and stated, “I think 875 won for a bunch of green onions is a reasonable price,” which sparked controversy. The opposition criticized this, saying, “How can you manage prices without knowing the cost of green onions?” and used the rising prices of agricultural and livestock products like green onions to highlight the government’s policy failures and push for regime change.

Opposition candidates attracted attention by actually bringing green onions to polling stations on the day.

Jeon Jin-sook, Democratic Party candidate for Gwangju Buk-gu Eul, was seen holding green onions in front of the early voting station at Yongbong-dong, Chonnam National University. On her social media, Jeon wrote, “We cannot live like this anymore. Green onions,” adding, “The report card for two years of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration is economic collapse and the destruction of people’s livelihoods. Every precious vote can change the future of the Republic of Korea.”

Gong Young-woon, Democratic Party candidate for Hwaseong E, Gyeonggi Province, also posted on his social media, “The president’s green onions cost 875 won per bunch, and apples are the most expensive in the world,” appealing, “Please send a warning to this reckless administration through your vote.”

Oh Jun-ho, candidate for Daegu Suseong E of the New Progressive Alliance, completed early voting that day and performed a “green onion performance.” Oh said, “The green onions I personally bought cost 2,700 won per bunch. The ‘reasonable price’ of 875 won per bunch mentioned by President Yoon is not even enough for two stalks,” while demonstrating cutting the green onions.

Lee Ji-soo, spokesperson for the Party for National Innovation, criticized in a statement that day, “How can CEC staff determine whether this is a ‘political act with intent’?” and questioned, “If green onions are not allowed, then what about apples or cabbages, which have recently been problematic?are they allowed?” She added, “The government and ruling party may try to deceive the public with green onion prices, but should the CEC also ‘block the green onions’?”