The joint investigation team of the prosecution and police, which is investigating the ballot paper shortage incident that occurred during the June 3 local elections, has launched a compulsory investigation into officials from the Seoul and Songpa-gu Election Commissions. The photo shows the first search and seizure operation. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The flower of democracy and the root of a constitutional state begin with thorough and fair election management. However, the 'election statistics manipulation' and the practice of adjusting figures without even reporting them, recently revealed through the investigation by the joint investigation team, constitute election fraud that fundamentally shakes public trust. Election fraud is a national political upheaval comparable to the Korean War.

The thread of election fraud was caught due to the ballot paper shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections. Evidence has even been uncovered showing that staff members arbitrarily modified electronic statistics and conspired to 'adjust figures' to cover up errors in voter turnout input. This was not a mere administrative mistake, but election fraud that deprived citizens of their suffrage through the fabrication of official electronic records and obstruction of official duties, severely undermining the value of the people's precious votes and the credibility of national administration.

This situation cannot be dismissed as mere incompetence within the National Election Commission (NEC) or the deviation of individual employees. The fact that the system for managing fair elections, the most basic task of a state, has collapsed so completely is a constitutional catastrophe, a total failure of state affairs, and a willful political upheaval caused by the current administration's mismanagement and irresponsibility. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring the fairness of elections and managing and supervising constitutional institutions to operate normally lies with the administration in charge of state affairs.

Unless the administration demonstrates profound reflection and takes responsible measures, the collapsed values of liberal democracy can never be restored. Without eradicating election fraud and imposing maximum sentences on those involved in and those who directed the fraud, the Republic of Korea cannot move forward, and the people will not forgive it.

All politicians who previously condemned those concerned about fraud as "election fraud conspiracy theorists," despite the countless pieces of evidence that have emerged, must repent and apologize. Politicians, including Representative Lee Jun-seok, who promised to "resign if there was election fraud," must now keep their word and resign.

Therefore, we define this election fraud upheaval as a second Korean War and demand the following with utmost gravity:

One. The joint investigation team of the prosecution and police must conduct a strict investigation without sanctuary.

We demand a thorough investigation without sanctuary into all those involved in the manipulation of voting statistics, failure to report, and arbitrary modifications within the National Election Commission and related organizations. Furthermore, investigate without a single shred of suspicion whether there was intentional leakage of the electronic security system, such as the security password '12345', and whether there is any involvement with China or North Korea.

Manipulation of voting statistics, which shakes the foundation of democracy, is not a simple mistake at a polling station. It is an organized and intentional criminal act committed by the Election Commission. This practice of arbitrarily adjusting numbers regardless of the actual number of ballots is evidence that election fraud has been rampant. If the investigation remains vague despite such serious election fraud by the NEC, the investigators will face the wrath of the people.

Two. The current administration must apologize to the people for the failure in election management and the mess in state affairs.

This is not a matter to be dismissed by cutting off those at the tail end within the NEC. Election fraud is a political upheaval equivalent to an internal or external rebellion. We demand that the administration immediately acknowledge its responsibility for the total collapse of the national election system and express a sincere apology, and urge the highest official to resign voluntarily to prevent the situation from worsening due to public outrage.

Even though the situation has reached this point, all politicians from both ruling and opposition parties who have remained silent and feigned ignorance must apologize to the people and fulfill their roles. To restore the constitutional order of this country, it is time to ruthlessly root out and remove the masterminds who planned the election fraud, the Election Commission, and the evil forces protecting them, and return the Republic of Korea to the path of normalcy.

Three. Thoroughly uncover the systemic fraud in overall election management.

We urge that this incident be treated as part of the cumulative, customary statistical and electronic manipulation across past elections. We demand the arrest and investigation of key NEC officials and IT staff to transparently uncover those who directed the election fraud, the masterminds behind them, and the involvement of external forces and hacking.

Now that clear and decisive clues to election fraud have been found, the entire NEC must be treated as a suspect. All electronic record management systems must be secured as evidence, and the NEC must be removed from all processes of truth-finding and clarification.

The transparency of election management is a basic principle of democracy that can never be compromised. We strongly urge the investigative authorities to swiftly uncover the truth of the incident so that not a single doubt remains and reveal it clearly to the public, and for the administration to demonstrate a corresponding responsible attitude. We urge the current administration to recognize the gravity of this election fraud upheaval and take wise and swift measures.

July 23, 2026

All members of the Seo-Beo-Kka Six-Four Save-the-Nation Comrades Association