"'Still, Lee Jae-myung is Not Acceptable!' Criticism from Ruling Party Over Banner Ban as 'Biased Decision'"

The People Power Party criticized the Central Election Commission's decision on the 22nd to allow the display of constituency banners describing People Power Party lawmakers as 'co-conspirators in a rebellion,' while prohibiting banners criticizing Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, calling it a "biased decision."

People Power Party's Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader (center), is speaking at a press briefing held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 22nd. Photo by Yonhap News

At a press briefing held at the National Assembly that day, Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader, said regarding the issue, "We cannot help but conclude that the Election Commission is conducting pre-election campaigning in favor of Lee," expressing his criticism.

Earlier, People Power Party lawmaker Jeong Yeon-wook attempted to post a banner in his constituency, Suyeong District, Busan, with the phrase "Still! Lee Jae-myung is not acceptable!" but was informed by the Election Commission that posting was prohibited.

The Election Commission reportedly judged that, considering the possibility of an early presidential election, this constituted pre-election campaigning aimed at causing defeat.

On the other hand, the Election Commission allowed a banner put up by the Party for National Innovation in Jeong's constituency that read, "Rebellion ringleader Yoon Seok-youl, impeachment non-participant Jeong Yeon-wook is also a co-conspirator in the rebellion!"

Acting leader Kwon stated, "The impeachment trial has not yet been properly conducted, so we sternly warn the Central Election Commission and demand a review of their decision, questioning by what authority they assumed the impeachment trial would be accepted and an early presidential election would take place."

He also emphasized, "It is truly incomprehensible whether the Election Commission did not consider Lee's judicial risks and the fact that a guilty verdict would prevent him from running."

On the same day, lawmaker Na Kyung-won claimed on Facebook, "This is why the Election Commission is suspected of election fraud." Na criticized, "The crime of rebellion is an ongoing investigation, and it is clear that People Power Party lawmakers are not punished as co-conspirators in relation to the impeachment vote. Yet, the Election Commission allows this banner phrase as political expression, which contradicts the presumption of innocence, effectively making President Yoon Seok-youl appear as if he has been convicted of rebellion, and People Power Party lawmakers as co-conspirators."

Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also wrote on Facebook the previous day, "The Central Election Commission says it will prepare legal amendments to strongly punish those who claim 'election fraud,' but before advocating legal amendments, it should first reflect on losing trust in election management."

Yoon said, "The Central Election Commission should first demonstrate the attitude of 'Chosangjipung' (an abbreviation of 'Chosangjipungpilyeon,' meaning 'when the wind blows, the grass must bend,' implying self-reflection before blaming others). Otherwise, it will not escape criticism that 'the one who farted is the one who gets angry.'"