Raising Suspicion Once Again, All Eyes on the Situation
People Power Party Quickly Distances Itself
Former President Yoon Sukyeol after watching the documentary film claiming election fraud. Photo by Yonhap News
Former President Yoon Sukyeol's attendance at a documentary film screening in Megabox Dongdaemun, Seoul, on the 21st, which advocates the theory of election fraud, has sparked heated debate. Excluding his court schedule following his impeachment on April 4, this is effectively his first public appearance. Both the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party have responded by calling it inappropriate.
When former President Yoon, dressed in a suit without a tie, appeared at the theater, his supporters chanted his name. Yoon responded to some supporters' cheers with a nod, then entered the screening room without making any remarks. The film Yoon watched is titled 'Fraudulent Election, God's Work?', planned and produced by producer Lee Youngdon and former Korean history lecturer Jeon Hangil.
It is reported that Jeon had requested Yoon to watch the film the previous day. Hwang Kyoan, an independent presidential candidate who has long advocated the theory of election fraud, also attended. After watching the film, Yoon left the venue without making any public statement.
The prevailing view is that former President Yoon's decision to watch a film related to election fraud, after previously citing the theory of election fraud as a major reason for the 12·3 Martial Law Declaration, could influence the presidential race.
After the screening, director Lee told reporters, "Former President Yoon said, 'Elections should be held in a transparent manner like Taiwan or Germany, without computers or electronic devices.'" He continued, "If advance voting is abolished and all ballots are counted by hand, the public will accept all results. If the upcoming presidential election produces statistically inexplicable results, the production team intends to launch a protest movement."
Jeon stated, "Former President Yoon attended in person to show support after hearing that many young people in their 20s and 30s would be coming to see the film," and added, "There was no message regarding the presidential election." Jeon also said, "When Copernicus said 'the Earth moves,' everyone claimed it was a lie, but we now know heliocentrism was correct. Some may say that the idea of fraudulent elections in Korea is like a fictional story, but this film presents evidence of its reality."
Yoon's actions have ignited fierce debate in the political sphere. Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, criticized Yoon's viewing of the election fraud film, saying, "Wasn't it with that very election system that he himself won the election? If he now calls it a fraudulent election, what does that mean? I just can't understand it."
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, was asked at a Broadcast Journalists Club debate whether Yoon's attendance at the documentary screening would help the election. He replied, "I don't know what kind of film it is," and added, "I will do my utmost to completely dispel suspicions of election fraud."
An official from the presidential office told Asia Economy, "Former President Yoon is now a private citizen. We cannot know his specific schedule, nor can we comment on it." A National Election Commission official said, "We will not make any separate statement regarding former President Yoon's viewing of the election fraud film," and added, "With the presidential election just 13 days away, we will do our utmost to ensure transparent and fair election management."
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