President Lee Jae-myung prepares to cast his early vote at a community center near Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, South Korea, 29 May 2026, ahead of the 03 June local elections. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 31 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's main opposition People Power Party has filed a police complaint against President Lee Jae-myung, accusing him of violating election law by exposing a marked ballot during early voting for the June 3 local elections.
People Power Party Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok and other party officials visited the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency on Saturday to file the complaint against Lee and officials from the National Election Commission who were present at the polling station. Yonhap reported the complaint alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act.
The controversy began Friday when Lee stepped out of a voting booth during early voting and asked an election official whether a partially stamped ballot would still be valid. The opposition party said Lee's handling of the marked ballot violated the principle of secret voting and the election law provision barring disclosure of a marked ballot.
Jang said Lee's action could not be dismissed as a simple procedural mistake.
