Ban on Bringing 'Daepa' into Polling Stations... Appearance of 'Dior Bag Certification'

Opposition to Green Onion Ban Shifts to Kim Gun-hee Allegations
"Possibility of Provoking Conservative Anger Vote" Opinions Also Raised

On the first day of early voting for the April 10 general election, the National Election Commission (NEC) effectively banned the bringing of green onions into polling stations by considering them as politically motivated items. In response, a voter appeared at a polling station carrying a paper bag labeled "Dior." This was an act of defiance.

Photos of poll certifications reminiscent of the green onion and Dior bag controversies are being posted on social media platforms like X. [Photo by X]

The ban on bringing green onions into polling stations instead sparked a craze for green onion certification photos. On April 7, on X (formerly Twitter), citizens posted photos of green onion-shaped pens distributed for use at campaign sites and shared patterns for crocheting green onions, leading to a flood of green onion certification pictures.

On April 6, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised his voice at a campaign rally, saying, "(The government) is not only blocking speech with 'knife blocks' and 'mouth blocks,' but now even 'green onion blocks.'" He questioned, "Why can't we bring green onions to the polling station? Are they saying we might use green onions to commit terrorism?" When a supporter handed him a helmet adorned with green onions, he advised, "Instead of green onions, put on some scallions."

Although the NEC belatedly clarified on April 6 that "if there is no (political) purpose, there is no reason to restrict bringing green onions or anything else into polling stations," it was too late to quell the widespread backlash. On April 7, Cho Guk, leader of the Cho Guk Innovation Party, wrote on social media, "I voted with green onions in my heart. 'Green Onion Revolution.'" It appears that the Democratic Party and the Cho Guk Innovation Party are united under the banner of green onions.

Supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea are cheering Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, who is campaigning in support of candidate Jo Jae-hee in front of Seokchon Lake, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 7th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Han Dong-hoon, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, appealed, "We condemn the Democratic Party for using even the NEC’s ban on political acts inside polling stations as negative material."

After the green onion ban, a voter showed up at a polling station carrying a Dior bag. This was a fake luxury bag made from a paper bag, targeting First Lady Kim Geon-hee’s "luxury bag acceptance controversy." Following President Yoon’s controversial remark about green onions costing 875 won, which came to symbolize the government’s failure in price policy, the ban on green onions shifted public anger to "luxury bags," symbolizing all the suspicions surrounding the First Lady.

Some opinions suggested that such acts could provoke backlash. Park Dong-won, CEO of Polycom, wrote on social media, "(Green onion certification photos, etc.) only upset conservative voters and provoke angry voting," emphasizing, "Every time you go to the polling station, you should think about solemnity and responsibility, and cherish the value of your vote and the seriousness of your choice."