Honam Primary Corruption Investigation Enters New Phase?

Local election public opinion poll manipulation has been an ongoing phenomenon since the 2022 local and parliamentary elections, not just a one-off event. Although there have been some instances of punishment, this incident is the first time its true nature has been clearly exposed. It appears that highly engaged political participants were already aware of the existence of these problems.

Criticism has arisen that the central party, especially the then Cheong-rae Chung leadership, failed to take proactive measures regarding the situation, leading to the spread of controversy. Additionally, there are allegations that the local police who investigated this case abetted the investigation and attempted to cover it up. However, signs of change are emerging following broadcast reports.

President Lee Jae-myung emphasized that reform must proceed delicately and procedurally with maximum consensus, minimizing pain and resistance to demonstrate effective results. He warned that irresponsible agitation and radical demands for change could hinder reform and lead to backlash. In particular, he pointed out that appointing individuals who are corrupt and incompetent merely because they are close is a shortcut to failure. This statement is interpreted as a message targeting internal party conflicts, such as setting relations with the Cho Kuk Innovation Party.

He clearly stated that there would be no alliance based on share allocation. This is also connected to criticism that some factions within the party, preparing for future party leadership or presidential candidacy, might already be trying to undermine the president.

The search and seizure targets also included agencies believed to be involved with election brokers. It is known that summons for related individuals have now officially begun.

With growing criticism of the police's delayed investigation, statements emerged that the police's attitude had completely changed. It is said that they actively responded to prevent the case from being buried, including delivering a written statement to the former police station chief and investigation department head. They also held a two-hour face-to-face meeting with the Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency Investigation Review Section, demanding case processing and setting a deadline for it. Ultimately, they demanded the case be transferred to the Jeonju Police Agency.

It was confirmed that the number of Ansim (secure) numbers, which was around 3,000 in August last year, surged to 4,000 by year-end. Evidence of organized address relocation tactics and collusion between election brokers and candidates was also found. Consequently, an estimated 500 individuals are expected to be summoned for investigation across Jeonbuk.

Leading up to the 2022 local elections, rumors circulated that 1,000 secure numbers were traded for 100 million won in Yongsan. During a call with Shin Jeong-hoon, head of the 공천개혁단 (Nomination Reform Group), it was mentioned that there were talks of trades up to 150 million won. These suspicions suggest the possibility of a broker connection between local and general elections.

This suggests that election broker activities were not limited to specific candidates but were widespread among all candidates preparing for election.

While 8 out of 14 cities and counties in Jeonbuk have been accused, only a few victim candidates are joining the accusation. Despite direct complaint filing and securing data-based evidence, the remaining regional candidates who have not responded are largely suspected of being involved with brokers.

It was claimed that election brokers resumed their activities after initial search warrants were dismissed, allowing them to evade investigation. The Democratic Party primary was conducted with 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion polls, and it is alleged that these contaminated polls influenced the primary results. Currently, a large-scale summons investigation, including losing candidates, is underway.

An unusually high public opinion poll response rate of 52% was recorded a month before the Imsil County primary, raising suspicions. The possibility of manipulation using designated driver companies and unregistered phones was mentioned. Such issues were reportedly raised with the central party but were ignored.

A call recording between parties discussing the distribution of money for candidate Han Deuk-soo was released. The transcript contains details of betraying support for candidate Kim Byeong-hee and referring to the county head election as a 'gold mine,' mentioning the need for money. Specific evidence of backdoor dealings between campaign workers was revealed.

Suspicions are raised that monetary transactions were behind the sudden shift from supporting an existing candidate to Han Deuk-soo. Evidence of collusion between the parties involved in the money transfer was also found, and attempts were made to portray it as a personal favor unrelated to candidate Han Deuk-soo.

Compared to other cases, even more definitive evidence existed, yet the leadership adopted an attitude of waiting for investigation results. Ultimately, the primary proceeded as scheduled just one week after the evidence was submitted, intensifying criticism of the leadership's complacent response.

Overall criticism has been raised regarding the Democratic Party's primary method under the Cheong-rae Chung leadership. In particular, cases of distortion, such as mobile phone polls increasing by a factor of 6 to 1, have been confirmed. Demands have been made to change the primary method to prevent such incidents from happening again and to implement a one-person, one-vote system based on resident registration numbers.

In particular, there were reports that the Doma branch of Shincheonji in the Jeonbuk region systematically joined the Democratic Party. It was asserted that this fact could be confirmed by cross-referencing data during a central party audit.

It was argued that the problem of abnormal mass address changes involving thousands of people, which recurs every election season, could be technically filtered out. It was stated that with expert intervention, current technology could sufficiently block and respond to this issue. Criticism was directed at the National Election Commission and party leadership for neglecting this problem.

It is pointed out that unlike the past, when local government head elections were considered as sacred as electing a religious leader, the party leadership is taking this issue lightly. There is concern that by-elections could occur depending on the police investigation results, which could lead to a crisis of legitimacy within the Democratic Party.

Cases of general poll misuse, which are equivalent to making one party member's vote equal to 84 votes, were pointed out. Abnormal data flows, such as the increase of 3,000 secure numbers, were criticized for distorting the principle of party member-centric primaries. Consequently, a Nomination TF has been launched in the Honam region, and expectations are high for addressing these issues.