297 Martial Law Troops Deployed to Election Commission on 12.3
Election Commission "We Don't Know Why They Entered"
Kim Yonghyun "Many Citizens Raise Suspicions of Election Fraud"
Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun reportedly stated that the deployment of martial law troops to the National Election Commission (NEC) was to "resolve allegations of election fraud." During the December 3 martial law incident, controversy intensified as about 300 martial law troops stormed the NEC building immediately after the martial law declaration. The opposition fiercely criticized the deployment of martial law troops based on allegations of election fraud, calling it "delusional."
On the 5th, the NEC informed the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee during an emergency briefing that a total of 297 personnel were deployed during the December 3 martial law incident: 120 at the Gwacheon NEC building, 47 at the Gwanak building, and 130 at the Election Training Institute. In response, Kim Yong-bin, Secretary General of the NEC, said, "There is serious doubt constitutionally whether this aligns with the Martial Law Act." He also stated, "I do not know the exact reason why the martial law troops entered the NEC," adding, "I believe the NEC is not subject to the Martial Law Act."
On the morning of June 28, 2020, a recount of the April 15 general election for Incheon Yeonsu-eul was conducted at the Incheon District Court in Michuhol-gu, Incheon. This recount was carried out following an election nullification lawsuit filed by former Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) lawmaker Min Kyung-wook, who claimed election fraud. Joint Press Corps
Amid controversy over the legality of the martial law troop deployment, former Minister Kim, who ordered it, said in a media interview that it was done because of "allegations of election fraud." He explained, "As many citizens raised suspicions of election fraud, it was judged necessary to secure systems and facilities to determine whether to conduct investigations in the future." This meant it was a measure to verify the truth of the 'April 10 general election fraud theory' raised by some in the conservative camp, including far-right YouTubers.
The Democratic Party and the Reform New Party harshly criticized this judgment. Lee Jun-seok, a Reform New Party lawmaker who served as the People Power Party leader during President Yoon Seok-yeol’s candidacy, criticized on his personal SNS, "The 'election fraud fanatics' are ruining the conservative camp," adding, "I worked so hard to stop their crazy acts, but in the end, they have influenced me." He further said, "In a way, the person himself (President Yoon) is the most obsessed with election fraud."
Cho Seung-rae, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, claimed in a statement, "President Yoon Seok-yeol is a delusional leader of a rebellion." Regarding the attempt to investigate the NEC through martial law troops, he said, "This is an absurd worldview that can only be seen on far-right YouTube," and pointed out, "President Yoon Seok-yeol and his cohorts, addicted to far-right conspiracy theories, declared martial law and pointed guns at the people to realize their fantasies." He then urged People Power Party lawmakers, "Once again, I appeal to you. Only resignation or impeachment can save the Republic of Korea."
Former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun is touching his face at the National Assembly audit held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on October 8. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
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