Lee Haesik Referred to Public Prosecution Office for "Posting Superintendent Vote on Social Media"

Posted a photo confirming his vote, saying, "I voted for No. 1 all the way down the ballot"
Referred on suspicion of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act

Lee Haesik, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been referred to the Public Prosecution Office after posting on social media the name of the superintendent of education candidate he voted for in the June 3 local elections.

Lee Hae-sik, a lawmaker of the Democratic Party of Korea. 2026.09.09 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

According to Yonhap News Agency on November 8, the Gangdong Police Station in Seoul referred Lee to the Seoul Eastern District Public Prosecution Office on November 5 on suspicion of violating the Local Education Autonomy Act.

On May 30, the early voting day for the June 3 local elections, Lee posted a photo on social media confirming that he had voted, saying, "I voted for No. 1 all the way down the ballot." He also revealed the names of the candidates he voted for, including those running for district council, superintendent of education, Seoul mayor and Gangdong-gu mayor.

Under the Public Official Election Act, National Assembly members are allowed to campaign. Accordingly, they may disclose on social media and other platforms that they have voted or identify the candidates they support. However, in the superintendent of education election, the police determined that the Local Education Autonomy Act prohibits political parties and National Assembly members affiliated with them from expressing support for specific candidates.

Earlier, the People Power Party's Central Election Management Committee's Clean Election Headquarters filed a complaint with the Gangdong Police Station, alleging that Lee's actions constituted a violation of ballot secrecy under the Public Official Election Act. Barun Election Protection Coalition, a conservative civic group, also filed a complaint with the station in June, alleging that Lee had violated the Local Education Autonomy Act by publicly endorsing a superintendent of education candidate.

The police said they decided to refer Lee only over his public endorsement of a superintendent of education candidate.

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