President Lee: "Election Fraud Theories Are Antisocial Behavior... Those Threatening Police and Citizens Must Be Held Accountable"

Lee Presides Over Video Conference in Rome on June 14

Criticizes Groups "Fanning Conspiracy Theories" for Incitement

Orders Unrestricted Investigation by Joint Prosecution-Police Team

President Lee Jae-myung described the attempt to link the recent deprivation of suffrage during the local elections to allegations of election fraud as "anti-social behavior" on June 14 (local time). He also warned the protesters who blockaded the ballot counting center at the Seoul Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium that they will be held accountable if they inflict harm on police officers or citizens.

While on his European tour, President Lee presided over a virtual chief secretaries meeting from a hotel in Rome, Italy, and stated, "Spreading conspiracy theories about manipulated election results and similar claims distorts the essence of this issue and insults the valuable voices of the people. It is anti-social behavior."

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Italy, is holding a virtual chief secretaries meeting at a hotel in Rome on June 14, 2026 (local time). Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the ballot paper shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections, President Lee said, "I fully acknowledge and accept the legitimate concerns raised by our citizens about the deprivation of suffrage." However, he criticized, "That is one issue, but there are groups exploiting this situation to incite baseless conspiracy theories, and these forces are becoming more vocal."

President Lee continued, "Moreover, among those making these claims, some have inflicted harm on the police officers at the scene or threatened nearby citizens. Sometimes, there are incomprehensible acts such as conducting searches and checkpoints, and even blocking access, which seem to be interfering with public affairs."

He added, "We must hold them duly accountable according to law and principle. No matter what we do, there are boundaries that we must observe, and among these, the clearest boundaries are the law and the system."

President Lee Jae-myung, who is on a state visit to Italy, is holding a video conference of the senior secretaries meeting at a hotel in Rome on the 14th (local time). 2026.6.14 Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap News

Additionally, President Lee emphasized, "If we are to turn the incident of citizens' suffrage deprivation into an opportunity to strengthen democracy and popular sovereignty, there must be guaranteed healthy criticism and the development of constructive alternatives, and these must occur together."

He continued, "To this end, it is necessary to accelerate a thorough and transparent investigation into the facts. If all goes well, a special parliamentary investigation committee is expected to begin operating as early as this week," and requested, "I ask the National Election Commission for full cooperation with the National Assembly's activities." To the joint prosecution and police investigation team, he directed, "You must expedite efforts to ensure accountability without sanctuary."

President Lee concluded his opening remarks by stating, "It is when our entire society responds with responsible actions to the righteous anger of young people and citizens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.