National Assembly Plenary Session [Yonhap News file photo]

Controversy is growing as the South Korean National Assembly is reportedly set to pass a bill that would impose heavy penalties on those who raise allegations of election fraud.

It was belatedly revealed that the Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally passed a revision to the Public Official Election Act in the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 23rd (Korea time). The amendment includes provisions to punish those who obstruct the National Election Commission's duties by spreading false information regarding early voting or ballot counting with up to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won.

The People Power Party strongly protested, stating, "Existing criminal laws regarding defamation and obstruction of official duties already provide sufficient grounds for punishment; the Democratic Party has essentially guaranteed a 'gag order' that suppresses legitimate criticism from citizens."

The National Election Commission has consistently expressed the view that the dissemination of baseless election fraud allegations threatens democracy and causes national confusion, asserting that a legal basis for punishment is necessary.

Efforts to punish citizens who claim election fraud have been ongoing; for instance, in January 2025, Representative Jeong Chun-saeng of the Rebuilding Korea Party and others proposed an amendment to the Public Official Election Act that would punish the persistent spread of election fraud allegations.

The primary target of this amendment is the act of continuously spreading false information through YouTube, social media, rallies, and demonstrations. Effectively, it is aimed directly at conservative YouTubers and protest organizers.

According to The Chosun Ilbo, if an individual is found to have the intent to obstruct election affairs or undermine public trust in the National Election Commission, they could face up to 10 years in prison or a fine ranging from 5 million to 30 million won.

Some describe this as a clash between the rationale of "eradicating fake news" and the value of "protecting freedom of expression."

However, as the Donald Trump administration in the United States is actively investigating election fraud—which has long been dismissed as conspiracy theories by the media and courts—and is preparing to release findings, attention is focused on the impact this move by the South Korean National Assembly will have on the international community.

The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a robust investigation under the premise that election fraud did indeed occur.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has identified that the 2016 election interference led to further fraudulent activities in 2020 and 2024, noting that there were organized and continuous efforts involved.

On Monday the 23rd, President Donald Trump reposted an interview clip of Director Gabbard from Fox News on Truth Social, continuing to post daily about election fraud and identifying those he considers the masterminds behind it.

In the video, Director Gabbard stated, "The most powerful people in our country, under the direction of Barack Hussein Obama and his senior national security cabinet officials (James Comey, John Brennan, James Clapper, Susan Rice), were directly in control and made a very intentional decision to create this manipulated and politicized information, essentially with the goal of overturning the will of the American people who gave Donald Trump a historic victory over Hillary Clinton in November 2016."

She added, "The goal of Barack Obama and his staff was essentially not to accept the decision of the American people and to carry out a years-long coup against President Trump using manipulated and politicized information."

U.S. NNP = Chief Reporter Hong Seong-gu / Special Contract to the Publication NNP info@newsandpost.com