South Korean President Lee calls for strict action against election protesters spreading 'conspiracy theories'

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a state visit to Italy, convened a virtual cabinet meeting from Rome to address domestic issues, including protests related to ballot paper shortages during a recent election. He emphasized the need for strict action against demonstrators whose actions he characterized as obstructive and disruptive.

"Shouldn't we strictly deal with the protesters' behavior, including private searches and obstruction of business using force?" President Lee asked during the meeting, according to a statement from spokesperson Kang Hyo-sang. The president was responding to a report from the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs about the formation of a joint investigation team by the prosecution and police to look into the infringement of citizens' right to vote.

President Lee also criticized the spread of unfounded conspiracy theories, stating, "While we fully acknowledge and accept the public's legitimate concerns about the infringement of their right to vote, there are forces exploiting this to incite baseless conspiracy theories. Spreading rumors of election rigging distorts the essence of the problem and is an anti-social act that insults the precious voices of the people."

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Shouldn't we strictly deal with the protesters' behavior, including private searches and obstruction of business using force?

During the meeting, President Lee also received reports on various other policy matters. He discussed improving the overtime pay system for public officials, urging the establishment of control measures against improper payments and misuse. He also requested concrete plans to ensure that youth policies, even small ones, are easily felt by young people. Furthermore, he was briefed on the financial market situation and the health of listed companies, stressing the need to revitalize the stock market by addressing issues and establishing institutional safeguards.

Additionally, President Lee was updated on the deliberation trends for the minimum wage to be applied in 2027. He noted the need for specific explanations regarding the concept of minimum wage, as it is currently applied uniformly across regions and industries in South Korea. The president also reviewed the progress of establishing a second space center, instructing officials to carefully consider factors such as efficiency, economic feasibility, and balanced development in site selection.

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While we fully acknowledge and accept the public's legitimate concerns about the infringement of their right to vote, there are forces exploiting this to incite baseless conspiracy theories. Spreading rumors of election rigging distorts the essence of the problem and is an anti-social act that insults the precious voices of the people.