President chairs senior staff meeting via video link from Rome

Entering second year in office, Lee stresses cooperation with National Assembly

President Lee Jae-myung chairs a senior staff meeting via video link from a hotel in Rome on Sunday (local time) during his state visit to Italy. [Yonhap]
President Lee Jae-myung chairs a senior staff meeting via video link from a hotel in Rome on Sunday (local time) during his state visit to Italy. [Yonhap]

President Lee Jae-myung, currently on a European tour, sharply criticized those raising election fraud claims in connection with the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, calling the behavior "antisocial" on Sunday (local time).

Lee chaired a senior staff meeting via video link from Rome, Italy. The meeting — unusual for a president on an overseas trip — was convened as public sentiment soured over the ballot shortage during the local elections.

"This incident, triggered by the National Election Commission's inexcusable mismanagement of the vote, is leaving a serious stain on the national standing of a country that prides itself on K-democracy, advanced industry and K-culture," Lee said. "I fully acknowledge and accept our citizens' legitimate grievances over the infringement of their right to vote."

He then said, "But forces exploiting this to stoke absurd conspiracy theories are emerging once again. Spreading election fraud claims — talking about manipulated results and the like — distorts the essence of this problem and is antisocial behavior that insults the precious voices of our people."

The remarks were a direct rebuke of People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and others in the opposition who have argued that the June 3 election was fraudulent, as well as participants at protest sites raising fraud allegations.

"Moreover, some of those making such claims appear to be assaulting police officers at the scene, threatening bystanders and obstructing their duties," Lee said. "They must be held to appropriate account under the law and on principle."

He also called for accelerating a thorough and transparent investigation into the facts, and urged the National Assembly — which is set to launch a special parliamentary investigation committee — to extend full cooperation to the National Election Commission.

Lee also used the meeting to signal the start of his second year in office and appeal for cooperation from the Assembly.

"If the first year was a time to manage the chaos of the insurrection and draw up the blueprint for governance as a whole, the second year should be focused on building the institutional foundations for our core policy agenda," he said.

"To that end, close cooperation and communication with the National Assembly is paramount," Lee added. "If necessary, we must wear down the doorsteps of both the ruling and opposition parties and throw everything into accelerating legislation."


sang@heraldcorp.com