Busan Namhang Market filled with blue clothing. May 27, 2026 [Photo=Yonhap News]  

The civic group, the Committee for the Countermeasures of the People's Livelihood (Seominwi), has filed a complaint with the police against Lee Jae-myung for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, among other charges, after he consecutively visited traditional markets in Busan ahead of the June 3rd local elections.

Kim Soon-hwan, the secretary-general of Seominwi, announced on the 2nd that they filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Lee Jae-myung for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act and other charges, stating, "The President made inappropriate actions that could influence the election by consecutively visiting traditional markets in the Busan region ahead of the local elections."

Furthermore, Seominwi raised an issue with Lee Jae-myung continuing his dining schedule at Busan's Jagalchi Market on the same day three citizens died in the collapse of the Seosomun overpass, arguing, "The President, as the ultimate responsible party for national safety, engaged in activities that could influence the election rather than focusing on disaster response."

According to the complaint submitted by Seominwi to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, Lee Jae-myung consecutively visited traditional markets in the Busan region ahead of the local elections, including having dinner at Busan's Jagalchi Market on the 26th of last month and visiting Busan's Namhang Market for lunch on the 27th.

Seominwi specifically raised the issue of the collapse during demolition work at the Seosomun overpass on the 26th, which resulted in the deaths of three citizens, and argued, "It is difficult to view the accused's 'sashimi party' with apparent joy at Jagalchi Market as the behavior of a normal President."

The group further asserted, "He ignored the fact that even candidates from ruling and opposition parties, who could legally campaign, suspended their rallies to focus on disaster response," and stated, "This raises a reasonable suspicion that the President, as the ultimate responsible party for national safety, did not hesitate to engage in inappropriate actions that could significantly influence the election, rather than comforting the troubled public sentiment and dedicating himself to state affairs."

Additionally, the group declared that Lee Jae-myung's actions constitute a violation of the duty of political neutrality under the Public Official Election Act, stating, "His insistence on an incomprehensible explanation and excuse that 'he likes eating at markets' can only be seen as an inappropriate act that deceives and disrespects voters."

Seominwi Donation Account: Post Office 010108-01-014472 

Account Holder: Committee for the Countermeasures of the People's Livelihood

Reporter Lim Yo-hee