Lee urged law enforcement authorities to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into what he described as a "systematic attempt to distort the electoral process."
“I firmly believe there is a connection to the People Power Party,” Lee said, referring to the group in question, Rhee Park School — a conservative organization known for promoting the legacies of former Presidents Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee.
The allegations stem from an investigative report published on May 31 by Newstapa, a nonprofit journalism outlet. The report claimed that Rhee Park School assembled a dedicated team to post politically charged comments on news websites, lauding the People Power Party’s candidate, Kim Moon-soo, while disparaging Lee.
According to the report, members of the group were allegedly recruited with promises of after-school instructor certifications, qualifying them to work with elementary school students.
The report further alleged that some of those instructors have since been dispatched to schools nationwide, spreading what critics have called “distorted historical views” under the guise of extracurricular education — a program that began under the previous administration of Yoon Suk Yeol.
The People Power Party has firmly denied any connection to Rhee Park School or the alleged campaign.
“Kim Moon-soo, his campaign office, and the People Power Party have absolutely no relation to this matter,” the party said in a statement. “To suggest otherwise is baseless and irresponsible.”
Jang Dong-hyuk, a senior strategist for the PPP, held an emergency news conference in Seoul, accusing the Democratic Party of attempting to sway the election through what he called “sinister schemes.”
“The Democratic Party knows the election landscape is unfavorable for them, and so they’re once again resorting to negative campaigning and conspiracy,” Jang said.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
View more comments