Attorney Do Tae-woo is giving a special lecture on the theme of ‘Overcoming Election Irregularities with the Founding Proclamation’. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

A lecture themed ‘Overcoming Election Irregularities with the Founding Proclamation’ was held in Incheon on the 14th.

The Incheon Chapter of the Syngman Rhee Presidential Founding Commemoration Society announced that it held a lecture in Incheon on the theme of ‘Overcoming Election Irregularities with the Founding Proclamation’ at the auditorium of Incheon International High School of Tourism on the 14th.

At the event, attended by figures from conservative civic groups and political circles, attorney Do Tae-woo, the keynote speaker, emphasized the spirit of nation-building of the Republic of Korea and raised issues concerning election fairness.

Controversies over Election Irregularities are Internationally Significant Issues

In his congratulatory address before the lecture, former National Assembly member Min Kyung-wook introduced attorney Do as someone who "always stands on the side of justice, helps the vulnerable, and fights against injustice," adding, "There are people who live justly and people who live subserviently in this world."

Former National Assembly member Min Kyung-wook delivering a congratulatory address. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

He evaluated that although attorney Do studied at Seoul National University and passed the bar exam to become a lawyer, he has focused on public activities rather than personal gain.

Furthermore, former Assembly member Min stated, "When President Park Geun-hye was impeached and underwent trial, attorney Do took the lead to help her, and subsequently played an important role in activities raising suspicions of election irregularities," adding, "For the past several years, he has made efforts to raise awareness about election irregularity issues through rallies and activities in places like Gangnam Station Plaza and in front of the Supreme Court."

He also emphasized, "Although the current situation may feel difficult, more citizens are recognizing the issue than before," and stressed, "The truth regarding suspicions of election irregularities must be revealed."

Former Assembly member Min also mentioned the political situation in the United States, stating, "Controversies over election irregularities are being treated as an internationally significant issue," and expressed his expectation that "related discussions will continue in the future."

Following this, in a progress report, Jang Seong-tae, Vice Chairman of the Incheon Chapter of the Syngman Rhee Presidential Founding Commemoration Society, announced, "This Incheon lecture is the third event in a series of nationwide lectures being held on the theme of ‘Overcoming Election Irregularities with the Founding Proclamation.’"

According to Vice Chairman Jang, the lecture program began in January of this year when several civic groups and individuals decided to organize a nationwide lecture tour.

Vice Chairman Jang explained, "The lectures were prepared with the intention that the nation can be set right when citizens directly read and understand the spirit of nation-building of the Republic of Korea."

Jang Seong-tae, Vice Chairman of the Incheon Chapter of the Syngman Rhee Presidential Founding Commemoration Society, is giving a progress report. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

He also said, "Lectures have already been held in Busan and Mungyeong, and following the Incheon lecture, lectures are planned to continue in Daejeon, Daegu, Seoul, and other regions," and requested, "We ask for the interest and participation of patriotic citizens."

Founding Proclamation: "Everyone has the equal right to vote"

Attorney Do Tae-woo, the keynote speaker of the day, referred to and explained the meaning of the founding proclamation by President Syngman Rhee, the first president at the time of the Republic of Korea's founding.

Attendees at the special lecture in Incheon on ‘Overcoming Election Irregularities with the Founding Proclamation’. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

Attorney Do stated, "The founding proclamation announced at the time of the Republic of Korea's founding in 1948 contains a declaration with the sentiment, 'From now on, everyone has the equal right to vote'," adding, "This clearly shows that the Republic of Korea is a nation that began based on the equal political rights of its citizens."

He particularly assessed President Syngman Rhee's political choices as significant even within the historical context of the time.

Attorney Do explained, "In the mid-20th century, limited suffrage still existed in many countries around the world, and many places restricted the right to vote for women or specific classes." He continued, "However, the Republic of Korea declared the principle of democracy, granting equal voting rights to all citizens upon its foundation."

He emphasized that "President Syngman Rhee presented liberal democracy and the political rights of the people as important values during the process of nation-building," and stated that "the founding proclamation is a historical document that shows the principles upon which the Republic of Korea was founded."

Attorney Do mentioned this spirit of nation-building and conveyed, "The core of democracy is the equal right to vote for the people," and stressed, "Democracy is a system through which citizens express their political will through elections, and it is of paramount importance that the value of each vote is equally guaranteed in that process."

He argued, "The vote of any citizen is not more valuable than another, nor less valuable; the equal value of all citizens' votes is the fundamental principle of democracy. If this principle is undermined, the foundation of democracy can be shaken."

Citizens Must Be Able to Trust Election Results

Attorney Do also mentioned the need for social discussion regarding the election system. He stated, "Since elections are the core procedure of democracy, citizens must be able to trust the results," and added, "If questions arise about the election system, a process of open discussion and system review is necessary."

In particular, he expressed the opinion that there is a need to enhance the transparency of the system, referring to the controversies raised regarding the early voting system and the election management process.

Attorney Do said, "Various questions have been raised about the vote distribution patterns between early voting and the main election," and argued, "Rather than dismissing these questions as mere assertions, the transparency of system operations needs to be strengthened so that citizens can understand and accept it."

He also emphasized the need to review the overall election management system. Attorney Do stated, "A structure must be established that allows citizens to trust the entire election process, including the election management system and ballot management process," and added, "Trust in the process, not just the results, is important for elections."

Attorney Do explained that laws and systems can also change through social discussion. Using court precedents from U.S. history as an example, he mentioned, "In the United States as well, there have been cases where Supreme Court rulings were revised and changed through social debate."

He emphasized, "No system or ruling is absolute; they have all evolved through social discussion and historical experience," and stressed, "In a democratic society, the very process of citizens raising issues and debating them holds significant meaning."

At the end of his lecture, attorney Do stated the need to re-examine the founding spirit of the Republic of Korea, saying, "The founding proclamation is not merely a historical document but an important record showing the principles upon which the Republic of Korea was founded," and added, "It is necessary for citizens to read and understand its content themselves."

He concluded his lecture by saying, "The principles of liberal democracy and the equal political rights of the people, emphasized by President Syngman Rhee, are still the fundamental values of the Republic of Korea's democracy today," and that "revisiting the founding spirit can serve as an important standard for viewing today's politics and systems."

He further added, "I hope that the Republic of Korea will reaffirm the fundamental principles of democracy it declared at the time of its founding, and that public discussion on the election system will take place."

The lecture was attended by representatives of civic organizations and local dignitaries, and the organizers stated their plans to continue holding lectures in various regions across the country to foster discussions on the founding spirit and democratic principles.

Distinguished guests at the special lecture in Incheon on ‘Overcoming Election Irregularities with the Founding Proclamation’. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

Reporter Lim Yo-hee