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๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Elections & Politics

Lee Jun-seok on 'Line Cutting' Controversy: 'More Absurd Than Jo Se-ho Missing a Wedding'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok vehemently denies accusations of cutting in line during early voting.
  • He compares the situation to comedian Jo Se-ho's controversy over not attending a wedding, finding it equally absurd.
  • Lee argues that false information spreads rapidly on social media, disproportionately harming smaller parties.

Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok has strongly refuted claims that he cut in line during early voting, likening the controversy to comedian Jo Se-ho's past public criticism for not attending a wedding. "It's more absurd than that," Lee stated during a campaign meeting in Incheon on Sunday, emphasizing that there was no queue to cut. He asserted, "I can only say there was no line, so how could I have cut it?"

I leave with complete confidence in what lies ahead. The players who have given so much to this club, who have upheld its values and helped create so many unforgettable moments, have built foundations that will endure.

โ€” Arne SlotArne Slot's message to Liverpool fans about the team's future.

The incident occurred on May 29th at a polling station in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, where a voter questioned Lee about not waiting in line. Lee had previously announced his intention to take legal action against accounts spreading what he called "fake news" about the situation.

Securing Champions League football was an important responsibility and one that ensures Liverpool can continue competing at the highest level next season and beyond.

โ€” Arne SlotArne Slot highlighting the achievement of Champions League qualification.

Lee reiterated that the facts are simple: a voter mistakenly believed he was not in line and raised an objection. He lamented the ease with which falsehoods spread online, stating, "It takes just one click to spread lies, but correcting them can be impossible even with thousands of times the effort." He pointed out that even the initial broadcaster removed the video after verifying the context, yet "netizens created an absurd frame of 'cutting in line' with strange subtitles."

When I first stood beneath that sign in the Anfield tunnel, I knew what this club demanded.

โ€” Arne SlotArne Slot reflecting on his arrival at Anfield.

Addressing the challenges faced by smaller parties, Lee noted that "malicious rumors" thrive in the current social media environment due to this imbalance. He urged citizens to verify facts and vote, suggesting that their votes would overcome such "lies and smears." He concluded by stating that correcting false narratives requires immense effort, and some damage remains irreparable.

It was made even more meaningful because you got to enjoy it with us. Singing our songs, cheering the goals. And on the day we lifted the trophy, you were there.

โ€” Arne SlotArne Slot describing the joy of winning the Premier League title with fans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.