![Comedian Park Myung-soo. [Herald POP (now Herald Muse) via The Korea Herald]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/02/news-p.v1.20260527.ccb139223ca548e2ab5697cfe1f43347_P1.jpg)
Comedian Park Myung-soo has addressed controversy over remarks he made urging listeners to vote, pushing back against accusations of political bias.
Speaking Tuesday on his KBS Cool FM program "Park Myung-soo's Radio Show," Park said he appeared to have been misunderstood. "I asked people to please vote," he said. "What I meant was that, as citizens, we should choose the right person to work for our communities and for us."
The controversy stems from comments Park made on the same program May 29, when he said, "You know what happens when you pick the wrong person — it's a disaster," and urged listeners to "choose someone truly capable so our country can do better." Some listeners interpreted the remarks as politically motivated.
Park denied any such intent. "I have absolutely nothing to do with that, and I will continue to say what I want to say," he said. Broadcaster Kim Tae-jin, a guest on the show that day, backed him up, saying the appeal was simply "an encouragement to exercise your right as a citizen."
Even after the clarification, Park continued to urge listeners to cast their ballots.
"I strongly encourage you to vote on Wednesday, June 3 — almost forcibly," he said. "You have to pick with your own hands the person who will work for you. Make sure you vote on Wednesday, June 3, and post your verification photo."
Meanwhile, in-person voting for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections takes place Wednesday at 14,288 polling stations across the country, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Unlike early voting, voters must cast their ballots at the designated polling station listed under their registered address.
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