A screenshot of a group chat among People Power Party members, including Rep. Bae Hyun-jin (Songpa-gu B, Seoul), with content referring to "disturbance." [Yonhap News=SNS]

The civic group Committee for the Affairs of the Common People and Livelihood (CCPL) has filed a police complaint against Rep. Bae Hyun-jin of the People Power Party (Songpa-gu B, Seoul) for abuse of power, insult, and defamation, related to the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections.

‘Ballot Exhaustion’ Unprecedented Event Angers Citizens Whose Right to Vote Was Revoked

On the main voting day of the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections held on the 3rd, an unprecedented ballot shortage occurred at polling stations in Songpa-gu, Seoul, which includes Rep. Bae's constituency.

The main polling stations where the problem occurred include △Moonjeong 1-dong Polling Station No. 4 △Moonjeong 2-dong Polling Station No. 2 △Jamsil 2-dong Polling Station No. 6 △Jamsil 4-dong Polling Station No. 5 △Jamsil 7-dong Polling Station No. 2 △Garak 2-dong Polling Stations No. 3 & 7 △Wirye-dong Polling Station No. 5.

Starting from 4:30 PM on election day, voting was effectively suspended due to a shortage of ballots. Hundreds of voters who were waiting in line were unable to exercise their right to vote and had to leave. Enraged youth and voters protested the National Election Commission, holding a rally for 24 hours.

Bae Hyun-jin: "Don't Provoke to Avoid Further 'Disturbance'"

According to the CCPL, in this situation, Rep. Bae left the following message on the morning of the 4th in a group chat with 106 People Power Party members:

"The vote counting observers, including former district council members, are present and things are proceeding well, so please don't worry. We must not do anything to provoke further 'disturbance'."

The CCPL stated that this remark, which dismissed the citizens' legitimate protest demanding the restoration of their right to vote as a 'disturbance incident,' constitutes abuse of power (Article 123 of the Criminal Act), insult (Article 311), and defamation (Article 307), and therefore filed the complaint.

Kim Soon-hwan, Secretary-General of the CCPL, pointed out, "The deprivation of voters' right to vote due to the election commission's poor management is an act that shakes the foundation of liberal democracy. It is an act of shamelessness that disregards the essence of citizens' anger as they demand 'a by-election and the resignation of all election commission members'."

He added, "Rep. Bae's irresponsible remarks could ultimately give a pass to the election commission and create further social chaos," and urged investigative authorities to "punish them strictly according to the zero-tolerance principle."

CCPL Donation Account: Korea Post 010108-01-014472

Account Holder: Committee for the Affairs of the Common People and Livelihood

By Lim Yo-hee