Regarding the martial law forces’ entry into the National Election Commission building on the 6th, the National Election Commission called for legal action, saying, “The martial law forces’ occupation of the National Election Commission, which is an independent institution under the Constitution, is a clearly unconstitutional and illegal act that has no basis in the Constitution or law.”
At a briefing held after an emergency meeting this morning, Chairman of the national Election Commission Noh Tae-ak said, “Relevant authorities must disclose in detail to the sovereign people the purpose and grounds of the martial law army’s occupation of the National Election Commission building.”
Previously, in an emergency inquiry by the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee, it was confirmed that about 300 martial law troops entered the Gwacheon Building of the National Election Commission immediatly after President Yoon Seok-yeol’s emergency martial law. Martial law forces confiscated the cell phones of five people, including those on night duty at the National Election Commission. They also occupied the National election Commission building for a total of 3 hours and 20 minutes, monitoring behavior and controlling entry and exit. Regarding this,former minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun said,“This is to secure evidence related to suspicions of election fraud.”
Chairman Roh said,“We have confirmed that no internal data has been leaked by martial law forces so far,” but added,“We plan to continue to closely check and inspect whether there is any damage in the future.” He continued, “The National Election Commission will unwaveringly fulfill its duties as a constitutional institution and do its best to strictly manage elections in accordance with laws and principles.”
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How can the National Election Commission restore public trust after the recent invasion by martial law troops?
Interviewer: Welcome to Time.news! Today we have an crucial discussion about the recent events surrounding the National Election Commission’s building in South Korea. Joining us is Dr. Han Soo-jung, a political analyst and expert in electoral processes. Dr. Han, thank you for being here.
Dr. Han soo-jung: Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial time for democracy in South Korea, and I’m glad to shed light on this situation.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. The recent occupation of the National Election Commission building by martial law forces has raised many eyebrows. Can you explain the implications of this action?
Dr. Han Soo-jung: Absolutely. This invasion of the National Election Commission, which is supposed to operate independently under the Constitution, is alarming. It undermines the integrity of electoral processes and raises significant questions about the government’s respect for constitutional norms. According to Chairman Roh Tae-ak, this act is both unconstitutional and illegal, and it violates the principles of democratic governance.
Interviewer: Right, and during an emergency inquiry, it was revealed that around 300 martial law troops entered the commission’s Gwacheon Building shortly after President Yoon Seok-yeol announced martial law. What do you think motivated this forceful entry?
Dr. Han Soo-jung: It appears that the martial law forces aimed to secure evidence related to allegations of election fraud, as indicated by former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. However, such actions could easily be perceived as an overreach of authority. While addressing election integrity is crucial, there must be a distinction between safeguarding democracy and undermining it through intimidation or overbearing control.
Interviewer: And during this occupation, it was reported that they confiscated cell phones of staff members. What kind of impact could that have on the employees and the electoral commission’s independence?
Dr. han Soo-jung: Confiscating personal devices of employees is a serious violation of privacy and could create a chilling effect on staff morale. If employees fear surveillance or repercussions for their actions, it could compromise their ability to perform their roles effectively. The commission’s independence relies on the confidence that it can operate free from external pressures—something that this incident threatens.
Interviewer: Chairman Roh emphasized that no internal data has leaked so far, but he plans to monitor the situation closely.In your opinion, what should the National Election Commission’s next steps be to fortify its independence and restore public trust?
Dr. Han Soo-jung: The commission must take a stand and unequivocally affirm its role as a guardian of democratic principles. This could involve calling for obvious investigations into the invasion, along with publicly reassuring citizens about the security of their electoral process. Moreover, they should advocate for stronger legal protections against such overreach to prevent future occurrences.
Interviewer: Given everything we’ve discussed,what message do you think the public should take away from this situation?
Dr. Han Soo-jung: The public should remain vigilant and engaged. Democracy requires active participation and accountability. Citizens must demand clarity and openness from their leaders, and most importantly, they must understand that constitutional rights cannot be overridden, even under the guise of security or order.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Han, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that the actions taken by the martial law forces have serious implications for South Korea’s democratic future.
Dr. Han Soo-jung: Thank you for having me! It’s crucial that we keep this conversation going as events unfold.
Interviewer: Absolutely. We’ll continue to follow this story closely. Thank you to our viewers for tuning in. stay informed and engaged!