"120 Won Coffee Allowed but 875 Won Green Onion Not?"... Opposition Protests Election Commission's Double Standard

Opposition Parties: "Clearly Targeting a Specific Candidate"... Raise Issue of Fairness
"120 Won Coffee Banner Is a Political Act Aimed at Candidate Lee Jaemyung"
"Election Commission's Interpretation Is Arbitrary"... Committee-Level Response Planned
Election Commission Explains, "Applying the Same Standards"

The Democratic Party of Korea and other opposition parties have raised concerns about fairness, protesting the National Election Commission's decision to allow the '120 Won Coffee Cost' banner. They argue that this represents a double standard by the commission, especially when compared to the strict restrictions imposed on references to '875 Won Green Onion' during last year's general election.

Controversial '120 Won Coffee' Banner. Online Community.

On May 27, opposition lawmakers from the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee?including the Democratic Party of Korea, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, and the Basic Income Party?issued a joint statement. They criticized the decision, stating, "This is clearly a banner attacking a specific candidate, which anyone can see," and added, "It is difficult to accept that the National Election Commission permitted the '120 Won Coffee Cost' banner, which was posted anonymously."

They particularly pointed out, "'Coffee cost 120 won' is being used by the People Power Party as a tool to attack candidate Lee Jaemyung," and argued, "The original intent of the statement is being maliciously distorted and misused."

The lawmakers cited Article 90, Paragraph 1 of the Public Official Election Act, arguing, "This banner constitutes a political act intended to influence the election, and the commission's interpretation of it as general voter encouragement is arbitrary."

The opposition bloc referenced last year's general election, when the 'Green Onion Election Campaign'?a satire of President Yoon Sukyeol's comment that '875 won is the proper price for green onions'?was restricted. They questioned, "Why was it not allowed then but is permitted now? This raises doubts about the commission's neutrality and fairness."

They warned, "If the National Election Commission refuses to accept even the most reasonable demands, we will consider all possible countermeasures at the committee level."

In response, the National Election Commission explained, "We are applying the same standards." The commission added, "During the last general election, banners encouraging voter participation using green onions were also permitted. However, bringing green onions into polling stations with political intent was restricted due to concerns that it could influence other voters."