Calls for a swift and thorough police investigation into allegations of poll distortion involving Mokpo Mayor Kang Sung-hwi have resurfaced.
On the morning of September 21, citizens gathered in front of the Mokpo Police Station, holding banners and placards demanding a prompt investigation into the allegations raised during the June 3 local elections.
Participants stated, "Since election polls can influence voter judgment, it is essential for investigative agencies to clarify the facts surrounding the allegations." They urged for a rapid investigation.
Signs at the scene included messages such as, "Do not be deceived by tactics to evade responsibility in the Mokpo mayoral election violation case; conduct a thorough investigation," and "Stop external pressure on the investigation into the Mokpo mayoral election poll manipulation."
However, the claims of alleged "external pressure" and "evading responsibility" raised by the participants have not been objectively verified and should be clarified through the ongoing police investigation.
This issue has been contentious since before the local elections. On May 7, Park Hong-ryul, a candidate for Mokpo mayor, held a press conference demanding a swift investigation by the National Investigation Agency into the allegations of distorted poll results presented by Kang Sung-hwi. Park's camp alleged that the results published in January were misinterpreted and shared on social media.
In response, Kang's camp denied the allegations, stating that the matter had been concluded without charges by the Election Commission, and characterized the police complaint as a negative campaign.
Kang was subsequently elected as the mayor of Mokpo in the June 3 elections.
Attention is now focused on what materials the police have secured and the extent of their investigation.
Specifically, it is crucial to determine whether the police have conducted searches or digital forensics on Kang's personal phone, as well as the original data from the polls and the process of creating and disseminating social media posts. If materials related to the phone have been secured, they could provide key evidence regarding who received the poll data, who was involved in drafting and publishing the statements, and the extent of Kang's knowledge and involvement.
It also remains to be seen whether the police have compared and analyzed the materials submitted by the complainants with the actual original poll data during the investigation.
The Public Official Election Act prohibits the distortion and publication of poll results related to elections, making it essential for the investigation to objectively determine whether there were discrepancies between the actual poll results and the published content, and who was involved in that process.
Recently, some in the local political sphere have suggested that the influence of lawmaker Park Ji-won may be affecting the investigation, raising concerns about potential "external pressure" and whether some campaign aides are being scapegoated.
However, no concrete evidence has been presented to confirm these claims. Therefore, it is necessary to distinguish between various assertions made in the political arena and the actual state of the investigation.
Participants in the rally emphasized the need for investigative agencies to clarify the facts based on objective materials and evidence rather than engaging in political disputes.
Ultimately, what the police need to ascertain is not just "who will be held accountable," but also what the original poll data was, what changes occurred during the publication process, who was involved in drafting, transmitting, and publishing it, and the extent of the candidate's knowledge and involvement.
As the investigation prolongs, the potential for unverified political rumors to spread increases, leading to growing demands for the police to explain the progress of the investigation within the legal framework and to resolve the allegations with objective findings.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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