Jeonbuk Opinion Poll Manipulation, Estimated 10 Billion Won in Illicit Transactions

Evidence has been found that 'Ansim Beonho' (safe numbers) were illegally increased to manipulate opinion poll response rates in the Imsil area of Jeonbuk. Normally, about 7,000 numbers are secured 'as hostages,' but in Imsil's case, it is claimed that the number increased to 12,000 in just one month, setting a new record with a 52.7% response rate. This implies that over 5,000 numbers were brought in through external addresses via dealerships, and it is analyzed as large-scale manipulation that surpasses previously known public opinion manipulation techniques.

In an opinion poll, a situation occurred where 300 calls were received from people in Imsil and 200 from outside. With current technology, it's possible to determine which phone, from which regional base station, called whom. This means there's evidence that people not living in Imsil had their addresses registered as Imsil, collectively voted from Jeonju or Iksan, and cast bloc votes for specific candidates. Since the police have identified all entry routes through base stations and dealerships, this will be irrefutable evidence, and the investigation is reportedly well underway.

Numerous instances of illegal 'Ansim Beonho' (safe numbers) inflow have been confirmed in other regions not yet subject to complaints or accusations. It is estimated that over 32,000 illegal 'Ansim Beonho' were used in the Jeonbuk region alone, and rumors suggest that the scale of related financial transactions reaches 10 billion won. Applying the calculation of 100 million won per thousand units, 30,000 units would amount to 3 billion won. However, considering the possibility that sales brokers acquired them for 100 million won and then offered them to candidates for double the price, 200 million won, the total could reach up to 6 billion won.

It has been found that brokers directly visited candidates to propose the use of illegal 'Ansim Beonho' (safe numbers). Tracking their activities revealed that enormous sums of money were involved, leading to claims that this is an organized public opinion manipulation 'gate' rather than mere illegal acts. Criticism has also emerged that such actions undermine democracy and lead to the downfall of the country.

However, despite the Election Commission's request, the investigation was completely stalled and buried for approximately seven months until March of this year. Subsequently, a search and seizure warrant was suddenly issued after persistent questioning.

The seriousness of this incident came to light through the National Election Commission. Since last September, all relevant data has been collected in collaboration with a former department head of the Jeonbuk National Election Commission. During this process, opinion polls were independently conducted for 8 local governments to determine the scope, and as a result, complaints were filed against these 8 local governments.

This points to the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency's lukewarm attitude during the initial investigation process.

The anti-corruption investigation unit of the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency tried diligently to investigate, but for unknown reasons, the situation remained blocked. However, on April 6th of this year, a sudden search and seizure warrant was issued for the headquarters of the three major telecommunication companies, causing the investigation to accelerate rapidly. It is highly likely that this is the first time the headquarters of telecommunication companies have been raided in such a case. The investigation seemed to progress but then showed signs of slowing down again, only to speed up recently after the party leader election and the chief's replacement, it was suggested.

With the conclusion of the party leader election and the sudden replacement of 14 regional chiefs, the investigation seems to be accelerating. They desperately appealed to the party to change the primary election method. Referring to a past incident in Gunsan City where a National Assembly member lost their position due to alleged opinion manipulation, they claimed it was a prelude to the current incident, with about 240 phones found in one house at the time. They emphasized that if elections are conducted this way, the harmful effects will repeat in 30 or 40 years, and therefore, it must be stopped.

The discovery of 240 phones in one house in the Gunsan case demonstrates the seriousness of public opinion manipulation allegations. They expressed concern that if elections continue in this manner, the same problems will repeat in four years. They emphasized that this is not simply about the success or failure of a specific candidate, but about preventing the same harms from occurring in 30-40 years and stopping bad people from seizing power. They warned that this time, 'tail-cutting' or escaping through lawyers will not be easy.

The temptation of election brokers is a reality that candidates find hard to resist, as they entice with promises of easily boosting approval ratings through opinion manipulation. It is highly likely that most candidates running in the 14 cities and counties of Jeonbuk have had contact with brokers at some point. These operations are run in a cell-like pyramid structure, connecting designers, intermediate brokers, and candidates, maintaining relationships through unofficial means.

Candidates from the remaining regions have not been in contact and show no interest, raising suspicions that they might also be linked to the brokers.

It was mentioned that most candidates are believed to be connected to brokers. The problem with the judicial system was pointed out: no matter how serious the offense, if the prosecutor's indictment and court ruling for election criminals are delayed, the case can become invalid after six months. It was reported that after the initial complaint and before a search and seizure warrant was issued, brokers left, only to re-enter, mobilizing thousands of illegal 'Ansim Beonho' (safe numbers).

In the Democratic Party primaries, where party members account for 50% and opinion polls 50%, the 'contaminated' 50% influenced the primaries. In Imsil's case, all candidates who made it to the runoff, except for the speaker, are under suspicion of opinion manipulation. In the past, if an indictment or search warrant wasn't issued, it would quietly pass, but this time, with warrants issued and Yoo Cham-sa (referring to a specific entity or person, assuming '유참사' is a proper name/title) moving as intended, Imsil is in great turmoil, with some 500 summons issued. It was urged that the party, with interest, and Assemblyman Shin Jung-hoon, who is in charge of nomination reform, actively intervene in this issue and work towards institutional improvement.

They urged reform of the Democratic Party's primary system to prevent such problems from recurring. Especially in the Honam region, where the Democratic Party primary is virtually equivalent to the general election, creating a proper nomination system is crucial. Based on in-depth learning of these issues, they expressed confidence in participating in the primary system improvement task force (TF) to create recurrence prevention measures for the Honam region's primary.

It was also mentioned that some candidates are swayed by brokers out of fear of disadvantages. Expressing expectations for the police investigation, they argued that through this investigation, not only those who won but also those who lost, along with all related parties, should be revealed. They emphasized that a clear warning must be sounded to ensure that such illegal opinion manipulation through primaries is never dreamed of again. The Imsil region had previously recorded an unprecedented opinion poll response rate of 52.7%.

This coincided with the period approximately one month before the primaries, when designated driver services were mobilized, and even illegal '대포폰' (daepopon, burner phones) were used. While this abnormal response rate was brought to the attention of the supreme council members, it was pointed out that no proper action was taken, with comments like, 'It's unusual, but it's not a police investigation.'

They criticized the central party, stating that despite repeatedly raising the issue and actively informing Party Leader Jeong Cheong-rae, the Secretary-General, and Supreme Council members via Telegram, nothing was done amidst 'indifference.' They sarcastically remarked that a 52% response rate is a world record worthy of the Guinness Book.