President Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized as "antisocial behavior" the election fraud claims raised in some quarters over the "ballot shortage incident" during the June 3 local elections. He then ordered an acceleration of the National Assembly's parliamentary inquiry and the investigation by the joint police-prosecution unit to ensure a thorough and transparent fact-finding effort.
Lee, who is on a tour of Europe, chaired a meeting of senior secretaries and aides via video from Rome, Italy, on Saturday. With public opinion souring over the Central Election Management Committee's mishandling of administration, he took the unusual step of convening the meeting and reviewing the situation during the trip.
"This incident, triggered by the election commission's inexcusable mismanagement of voting, is leaving a serious stain on the national dignity of the Republic of Korea, which prides itself on K-democracy, advanced industries, and K-culture," Lee said. "I fully acknowledge and accept the legitimate concerns our citizens have raised over the infringement of their voting rights." He added, "Yet forces exploiting this to incite groundless conspiracy theories are raising their heads again. Spreading election fraud claims while alleging manipulation of election results is antisocial behavior that distorts the essence of this issue and insults the precious voices of our citizens." He was directly addressing participants who raised election fraud allegations at protests at the Jamsil vote-counting site.
"Moreover, some of those making these claims appear to be obstructing duties by assaulting police officers on site and threatening nearby citizens," Lee stressed. "Appropriate responsibility must be held according to law and principle." He added, "There is a need to speed up a thorough and transparent fact-finding effort," urging the National Assembly, which plans to launch a special committee for the parliamentary inquiry, to seek full cooperation from the election commission.
Earlier in the day, Lee attended and delivered a speech at a "Special Mass for Peace and Solidarity" held at St. Paul's Basilica. Referring to the June 15 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration announced 26 years ago, Lee said, "I am still convinced that the embers of that hope remain alive." He added, "I intend to do everything possible to build a sustainable peace regime beyond the armistice state," expressing gratitude to the Vatican for its support for peace on the Korean Peninsula.
Citing Isaiah 2:4 — "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks" — Lee said, "I hope we can together create a virtuous cycle in which peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to world peace, and global solidarity in turn strengthens peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Lee will meet separately with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on Sunday. In political circles, there is speculation that Lee may request a visit to North Korea during his meeting with the Pope, in connection with the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.
