South Korean opposition leader slams president over alleged early voting irregularities

Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, has sharply criticized President Lee Jae-myung's conduct during the early voting process, suggesting the president believes he is above the law. Speaking at a joint rally in his hometown of Gimcheon on May 30, the final day of early voting, Song questioned the propriety of the president's actions. "Yesterday, President Lee took his ballot out of the polling booth during early voting and asked election commission staff whether it would be invalidated because ink had smudged on half of it," Song stated. He questioned whether it was permissible for the president to carry a ballot outside the booth in such a manner. Song added that many observers felt the act was intentional rather than a mistake, implying the president believed he could act with impunity. "He seems to think that because he is the president, there is no problem with him taking the ballot out and then returning it," Song asserted, calling the action a violation of the constitution and election laws. The floor leader also criticized the election commission's response, noting that an official had clearly told the president, "You shouldn't show that." The incident has sparked debate about the adherence to election procedures by high-ranking officials.

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Yesterday, President Lee took his ballot out of the polling booth during early voting and asked election commission staff whether it would be invalidated because ink had smudged on half of it.