Key figures identified in connection to election fraud: Cho Hae-ju, Yun Ho-jung, Lee Hae-chan, Ko Han-seok, and Yang Jung-chul (from left). [Photo=Yonhap News]

On April 13, 2020, two days before the general election, remarks made by Jung Bong-ju, leader of the Open Democratic Party, toward the Democratic Party leadership caused a massive stir in the political arena at the time.

He launched a scathing critique, stating, "Mr. Lee, Mr. Yang, and Mr. Yun, I know what kind of beastly things you have done."

It was widely interpreted in the media and political circles that these remarks were directed at former leader Lee Hae-chan (or Lee Geun-hyung, then-chairman of the Democratic Party’s Strategic Planning Committee), former Institute for Democracy director Yang Jung-chul, and then-secretary general Yun Ho-jung.

The activities of those at the center of these allegations remain suspicious. In July 2019, ahead of the general election, former director Yang Jung-chul visited China and signed an official policy agreement with the Central Party School, a think tank of the Chinese Communist Party.

However, immediately after the election, he disappeared from the public eye after expressing a sense of fear regarding the results; various speculations, including claims of him hiding overseas, are currently being raised.

Doubts are further intensified by the fact that the also-identified former chairman Lee Geun-hyung was a key figure in election strategy, having served as an opinion polling secretary for the Roh Moo-hyun administration’s Blue House and as deputy head of the strategy headquarters for Moon Jae-in’s 19th presidential election campaign.

Former leader Lee Hae-chan, who had been emphasizing the "50-year left-wing ruling theory" since 2018 while advocating for the elimination of the opposition and the restructuring of inter-Korean relations, passed away under suspicious circumstances in Vietnam in January 2026. Former secretary general Yun Ho-jung has since held a key position in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety under the Lee Jae-myung administration.

Criticism regarding these personal connections was specifically addressed during the "Ultimate Debate on Election Fraud" held on February 27, 2026.

Kim Mi-young, CEO of VON, who attended as a panelist that day, made provocative remarks identifying Yun Ho-jung, Cho Hae-ju, Lee Hae-chan, Ko Han-seok, and Yang Jung-chul as key figures in the election allegations. She publicly challenged them to sue her if her claims were untrue, but no clear legal response from the accused parties has been confirmed yet.

The aforementioned former standing commissioner Cho Hae-ju is a figure who oversaw the internal administration of the National Election Commission (NEC) while serving as a standing commissioner of the 17th NEC and head of the Election Training Institute.

Furthermore, Ko Han-seok, who served as chief of staff to the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon (who died in 2020), is a big data expert with experience working in China and served as deputy director of the Institute for Democracy. Controversy surrounding his past, specifically regarding the 1992 South Korean Workers' Party espionage case, remains one of the core, persistently raised suspicions.

Based on this series of circumstances and personal networks, I would like to summarize the 10 key issues regarding election fairness as follows:

1. Allegations of Systematic Planning: It is suggested that election irregularities and fraud may have been meticulously planned by the leadership of specific political factions within the Democratic Party of Korea, particularly led by the Institute for Democracy, which establishes the party's election strategy.

2. Allegations of Ties to Foreign Forces: There is a need for a clear investigation into the circumstances under which key figures involved in the allegations maintained close contact with foreign forces, such as by visiting China or signing official agreements with major Chinese institutions in the past.

3. Allegations of Involvement by Figures with Pro-North Korean Ties: Doubts continue to be raised that individuals with a history of contact with North Korea are involved in allegations of election and political maneuvering.

4. Allegations of Collusion with Global Political Forces in the U.S.: Suspicions exist that these individuals formed and solidified an international network through overseas studies and residency at research institutions, aligning themselves with the U.S. Democratic Party or the Bush-affiliated Neoconservative factions of the Republican Party.

5. Controversy Over Complicity by NEC Leadership: It is difficult to avoid criticism that former and incumbent heads of the National Election Commission since 2018—such as Kwon Soon-il, Noh Jeong-hee, and Noh Tae-ak—failed to maintain strict election management, effectively condoning poor management and the allegations raised.

6. Monopolization of Personnel and Suspicious Activities: Public suspicion remains unresolved regarding the actions of individuals who monopolized key positions under certain regimes, as well as the mysterious circumstances surrounding the sudden deaths or departures of some individuals.

7. Allegations Regarding the Appropriateness of 5·18 Merit Registration: As revealed in the May 2026 exposé by former National Intelligence Service investigator Lee Yeo-jin, claims that key figures in elections and politics were registered as persons of merit to enjoy special benefits have caused controversy.

8. Undermining the Neutrality of Constitutional and Judicial Institutions: Critics point out that some heads of the Constitutional Court, the NEC, and the judiciary failed to maintain strict political neutrality and were relegated to becoming protective agencies for specific factions through activities such as bribery (e.g., the "5 billion club").

9. Political Exploitation of National Crises: There are suspicions that these individuals were involved in the process of planning and utilizing the impeachment of two conservative presidents and the COVID-19 pandemic as tools for public control and regime maintenance.

10. Existence of Collaborators Within Existing Political Parties: Points are gaining traction that even some figures within conservative parties condoned this massive political trend or secretly cooperated, helping to cover up the allegations.

Conclusion: The Public’s Demand for Restoring Sovereignty and Uncovering the Truth

Criticism is mounting that the various illegal circumstances surrounding recent local elections are the result of these individuals being caught by public vigilance while attempting to change the system. If these allegations are true, they constitute a serious attempt to infringe upon the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea and paralyze the constitutional order.

The anger of the 2030 generation and the public, who wish to protect their sovereignty, has reached a boiling point, and their voluntary demand for the truth and election transparency is growing uncontrollably.

Those involved in the allegations of election fraud must reveal the full truth to the public and face the judgment of the law before it is too late. That is the minimum duty they owe to the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea and the last opportunity they have to seek absolution.

◆ Shin Sook-hee, CEO

Co-Representative of the International Liberty & Sovereignty Union

Representative of Overseas Koreans in Australia

Ph.D. in TESOL, University of Sydney