Ahn Cheolsoo: "Poll Manipulation Has Started Again... Nothing Has Changed Despite Myung Taegyun Investigation"

"'Killing Ahn Cheolsoo' Manipulation Begins Again," Raises Concerns
"Poll Manipulation Is a Crime That Destroys Democracy"

Ahn Cheolsoo, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, raised concerns about the poll results, saying, "'Killing Ahn Cheolsoo' manipulation has started again."

On April 19, Ahn posted on Facebook, "As soon as the presidential primary began, Druking inevitably appeared again," adding, "The target of poll manipulation is once again Ahn Cheolsoo." He continued, "According to the most recent NBS poll, I am currently in fourth place among the People Power Party primary candidates, trailing the frontrunner by just 4%," and criticized, "Yet, in a poll by an online media outlet, I was excluded from the list of nine candidates in the broader conservative bloc. If this is not intentional manipulation, then what is it?"

Ahn Cheolsoo, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, raised concerns about the poll results, saying, "'Killing Ahn Cheolsoo' manipulation has started again." Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The poll Ahn referred to was conducted by JoWon C&I at the request of Straight News on April 13?14, surveying 1,023 eligible voters nationwide. Among the 349 respondents who agreed with the idea of a 'conservative candidate winning,' Han Ducksoo, the acting President and Prime Minister, ranked first with 29.6%. Kim Moonsu, former Minister of Employment and Labor, came in second with 21.5%. They were followed by Han Donghoon, former People Power Party leader (14.1%), Hong Joonpyo, former Daegu mayor (10.9%), and Na Kyungwon, People Power Party lawmaker (7.0%).

Other names included Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul; Yoo Seungmin, former United Future Party lawmaker; Lee Junseok, Reform New Party lawmaker; and Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province. However, Ahn was excluded from the poll. The survey was conducted using an ARS method with wireless RDD, had a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level, and a response rate of 4.6%. For more details, refer to the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.

Regarding this poll, Ahn pointed out, "According to Korea Gallup, three of the people included have not surpassed a 1% favorability rating even once in the past year," and criticized, "If such absurd polls are allowed to continue, the Election Poll Deliberation Commission should be shut down immediately." He also emphasized, "Even though prosecutors are currently investigating the 'Myung Taegyun poll manipulation case,' nothing has changed on the ground. Manipulated poll results are repeatedly released and article links are spread to mislead public opinion. Poll manipulation is a serious crime that destroys democracy."

He added, "There are now almost no citizens who take poll results at face value, but I, Ahn Cheolsoo, will fight to the end to protect democracy."

At 2 p.m. on the same day, Ahn will participate in the People Power Party's first group debate for the presidential primary, together with Kim Moonsu, Yang Hyangja, and Yoo Jeongbok (in alphabetical order), to discuss the 'future of youth.' The debate will be broadcast live via the People Power Party's YouTube channel and other platforms. Na Kyungwon, Lee Cheolwoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Joonpyo will participate in the debate on April 20 to discuss 'social integration.'

Immediately after the debates, from April 21 to 22, a public opinion poll of the general public will be conducted with 100% weighting. The results of the first cutoff, narrowing the field to four candidates, will be announced on April 22.