"Only a vote of anger through 'Election Day voting' can properly judge this administration." [Photo=Yonhap News]

This June 3rd local election is a nationwide election held one year after the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, and it serves as an interim evaluation of Lee Jae-myung's past year.

If the current administration promotes itself despite receiving failing grades in foreign affairs, security, and the economy, that itself will be evidence of election fraud. Several indicators already confirm that Lee Jae-myung's actual approval rating cannot exceed 25%.

The biggest problem is that signs of election fraud have been apparent for some time. Democratic Party candidates are showing inexplicably strong performance. And what about Han Dong-hoon, who is running in the by-election for Busan Buk-gu Gap?

This is reminiscent of the situation two years ago during the April 10th general election, where Lee Jun-seok, a candidate with no ties to the region, was elected in Hwaseong. I am confident that Han Dong-hoon is running through a similar route. This is because it is unprecedented in the history of the Republic of Korea for someone to win by running as an independent candidate without any local ties.

If there is no best option, we must choose at least the second-best. Even if you are dissatisfied with the People Power Party's policies or nominations, you must not abstain from voting. Abstaining is equivalent to giving your vote to the opponent. You must participate in 'Election Day voting'.

I tend to communicate a lot with young people. For young people, the current administration is also the worst. Young people concerned about their careers and the future of Korea are anxious that the country might become like Hong Kong. Even young people who voted for the Democratic Party or abstained in the last general election are now preparing to cast a 'vote of anger' through 'Election Day voting'.

There is no reason to use early voting, which is suspected to be a hotbed of election fraud. Early voting stations are fewer in number, far away, and crowded, but Election Day polling stations are near homes, have no waiting times, and are even a public holiday.

Looking at the recent 'Starbucks incident,' we see people reacting sensitively to issues of personal freedom and health, while being indifferent to election fraud that usurps their sovereignty.

Are there any of those who raged during the mad cow disease propaganda or the Fukushima treated water controversy in the past who are now not eating American beef or sashimi? Those who are boycotting Starbucks will soon be back at Starbucks. The backlash has already begun.

Currently, prices are being artificially suppressed due to the upcoming elections, but soaring prices due to rising exchange rates, labor costs, and taxes are only a matter of time. After the local elections, prices will skyrocket because there will be no elections for a while. Small business owners have reached their limit, and dissatisfaction with real estate is on the verge of exploding.

The June 3rd local election is the stage to judge all these failures. Only a vote of anger through 'Election Day voting' can properly judge this administration.

◆ Cho Yang-gun, Columnist

Head of the National Struggle Headquarters for the April 15th Election Fraud (Kukdubon)