President orders strict response to election violence, calls for reform

President Lee Jae-myung has ordered a strict response to the violence that erupted around the Jamsil vote counting center, an incident triggered by ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections. The president stated that such violence has reached an "unacceptable limit."

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stern action is unavoidable regarding the violence around the Jamsil vote counting center, which has already reached an unacceptable limit.

Lee, speaking at a senior-aide meeting at the Blue House, stressed the need for "stern action" against the violent acts. He has previously expressed strong disapproval of some protesters who blockaded the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, engaging in violence, insults, and mockery against police, citizens, and journalists.

While affirming that peaceful assemblies for the "restoration of popular sovereignty" should be actively guaranteed, Lee insisted that "illegal violence and fake news" must be relentlessly pursued and their perpetrators held accountable. "Only then can the freedom of assembly, peaceful protests, and the people's legitimate demands for the restoration of suffrage be properly expressed," he added.

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Peaceful assemblies for the restoration of popular sovereignty must be actively guaranteed, but illegal violence and fake news must be pursued to the end and their responsibility must be held accountable.

Turning to the central election commission, Lee blamed its "total incompetence, laziness, and moral hazard." He argued that the commission pursued its own organizational interests while neglecting its responsibilities. The president called for a thorough investigation and swift legislative action to reform the existing election management system, even suggesting that constitutional amendments might be necessary if the current system proves too restrictive.

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Political circles should not incite social chaos by pandering to illegal violence. Instead, they should focus on thorough fact-finding and fundamental reform of election management.

Lee also urged political circles not to "incite social chaos" by condoning illegal violence, but instead to focus on "thorough fact-finding and fundamental reform of election management."

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This happened due to the total incompetence, laziness, and moral hazard of the Election Commission (National Election Commission), which pursued organizational interests with the authority delegated by the sovereign people and neglected its given responsibilities.