The Election Commission Allows 'Nae-ran Gongbeom OOO' Banners... 'Lee Jae-myung Not Allowed' Is Prohibited

The National Election Commission allowed the display of a constituency banner describing a People Power Party lawmaker as a 'co-conspirator in a rebellion,' while it was understood that the commission disallowed the same lawmaker's banner criticizing Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

A banner of People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Yeon-wook, which the Central Election Commission decided 'not to be published.' Photo by Yonhap News

The Joguk Innovation Party hung a banner in Busan Suyeong District, the constituency of People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Yeon-wook, since the 11th, with the phrase "Rebellion ringleader Yoon Seok-yeol, impeachment non-participant Jeong Yeon-wook is also a co-conspirator in the rebellion!"

In response, Lawmaker Jeong attempted to put up a banner with the phrase "Still! Lee Jae-myung is not acceptable!" but received a 'posting not allowed' directive from the Election Commission.

The Election Commission explained that it made different judgments depending on whether the banners constituted 'pre-election campaigning' aimed at the election or defeat of a specific candidate. Article 254 of the Public Official Election Act, which restricts pre-election campaigning, applies even during normal times.

An Election Commission official said, "Considering the possibility of an early presidential election, the phrase 'Lee Jae-myung is not acceptable' can be comprehensively interpreted as implying that a specific person (Leader Lee), who is sufficiently expected to run or be a candidate in the presidential election, is not suitable for the presidency." He added, "This applies equally to former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon or Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who the general public can also expect to be presidential candidates."

On the other hand, the Election Commission judged that the Joguk Innovation Party's banner calling Lawmaker Jeong a 'co-conspirator in a rebellion' is difficult to be seen as pre-election campaigning aimed at Jeong's defeat, considering that the general election is scheduled four years later.

Lawmaker Jeong criticized the Election Commission's decision on his Facebook, calling it "double standards, a double standard Election Commission" (literally, "If you hang it on the ear, it's an earring; if you hang it on the nose, it's a nose ring").