Questions are rising as South Korea grips with a growing vote regulator controversy as it looks into whether China has already ingrained itself in the organization responsible for safeguarding its politics.
The risk of foreign interference, especially from Beijing, cannot now be ignored because of systemic corruption at the National Election Commission ( NEC ), judicial ties, and growing suspicions of election fraud. South Korea’s elections and coming could soon be ruled by troops outside its borders if it doesn’t take any action.
The Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea ( BAI ) investigation into hiring practices at the NEC violated the election watchdog’s independence on February 27, 2025, according to the Constitutional Court of Korea. The auditors immediately began disclosing their earlier findings, which exposed widespread corruption and selecting irregularities within the NEC, which shocked the entire country, as soon as this ruling was made public.
In May 2023, claims surfaced that senior NEC authorities had secured work for their kids through preferential treatment. The secretary-general and assistant secretary-general, both of whom were implicated in these irresponsible methods, resigned as a result of this. A company inside assessment revealed that they had used excessive influence to safe NEC posts for their children, which was a flagrant violation of the State Public Officials Act.
1, 200 breaches dating back to 2013, according to a BAI assessment of NEC hiring techniques. The assessment exposed a society of violence in the electoral monitoring system, which included 27 people who had been implicated in corruption and abuse of power. Additionally, a June 2023 inside NEC investigation revealed 21 nepotistic hires that harmed meritocracy, most likely staff members.
Even more shockingly, the NEC acknowledged that “many of the counting team members were Chinese, but we don’t realize how many of them worked as counting team nationwide.” Given China’s growing effect in South Korea, that entrance sparked more worries.
A startling assault on accountability
The NEC proposed changes to the Public Official Election Act to significant penalties for those who question election integrity rather than address these issues with responsibilities. This obvious attempt to silence genuine investigation suggests that the payment is more focused on preventing investigation than ensuring transparency.
The NEC’s persistent opposition to outside audits just raises questions. Even though the payment finally granted the auditors ‘ investigation into its hiring practices in 2023 despite growing public force, its fear reveals an institution unwilling to face real scrutiny. What claims do South Koreans have that their votes are counted very if election officials refuse to do so?
Election scams: Is it a theory or a reality?
The NEC admitted to following a” custom of hiring relatives” to guarantee” reputable” people after the Constitutional Court’s decision on February 27.
But why is it reliable? Is it just inside favoritism or something much more ominous?
Decades ago, South Korean vote fraud allegations were dismissed as conspiracy theories. Important political figures have yet to make public problems, including former members of the National Assembly and even a former prime minister.
One truth is undisputed: There is now enough evidence for a complete, independent investigation, despite South Koreans also being divided on whether election fraud has really occurred. These issues cannot be ignored now that there is mounting proof of organisational corruption within the NEC.
Most importantly, the prosecution of President Yoon’s impeachment trial centres on his justification for using military force to investigate election scam:
- He sent more troops to the National Assembly than the NEC.
- His first goal was the NEC, no the National Assembly.
Despite these steps, the Constitutional Court has consistently rejected Yoon’s calls to investigate scams, raising doubts.
A skewed system and administrative conflicts of interest
When we realize the close knitness between the NEC and the courts, the Constitutional Court’s unwillingness to address this issue is understandable.
According to Article 114 of the Korean Constitution, the NEC chair is typically a sitting Supreme Court justice. Additionally, NEC branches are frequently led by great judge or district court judges at local and regional levels, which creates administrative clash that critics claim compromises judicial independence.
This arrangement creates an alarming dilemma: election management also involves the judges who decide decisions in disputes over elections. Four of the eight present Constitutional Court justices were past NEC heads. These courts had been incriminating themselves if vote fraud were to be investigated and proven, which would create a basic conflict of interest that prevents important responsibilities.
Imagine a sporting activity where one group determines the outcome and the referee was a former participant of the same team. The umpire would have no excuses if match-fixing was to be the subject of an investigation.
China’s darkness is a big object.
While South Korea’s votes are one of the most troubling examples of corruption within the NEC, China’s expanding impact functions are a bigger risk. China has long engaged in cross war, influencing international institutions through social, economic, and cultural invasion. China’s approaches include:
- Through the Northeast Project, Beijing has attempted to reclaim Korea’s traditional identity as a part of China.
- Cultural invasion: South Korea was the first nation to house a Confucius Institute that propagated pro-China ideas.
- Improper authorities activities: In Seoul, a secret Chinese police station was established to track down and arrest rebels.
- Visa-free passage: In November of this year, China formally granted South Koreans visa-free entry, and it is now pressuring South Korea to share for Taiwanese immigrants, which could lead to more sophisticated influencing businesses.
- Influence in the media: To influence public opinion, Tencent, a major Chinese IT company, purchased a 400 billion won ($ 366 ) stake in the JTBC cable network in South Korea.
And these are just a couple illustrations. Why wouldn’t China try to influence elections if it is ready to manipulate background, media, and open institutions?
The most effective approach would be to confirm that pro-China politicians win elections if China is determined to push South Korea into its sphere of influence. What better way to accomplish that than by breaking into and compromising the NEC, the body that organized those votes?
The global community has wake up.
This is a global priority, not just one specific issue affecting South Korea. China’s methods are not exclusive to South Korea; they have been employed in countries like Taiwan and the US as well. The demise of political institutions is a gradual but deliberate process. South Korea may be yet another case investigation in China’s playbook of influence and control if it is left unchecked.
The global community ought to require:
- A thorough, impartial investigation into the NEC in South Korea that is free of criminal and political interference.
- To reduce foreign meddling and secret deals, transparency in election oversight is required.
- Stronger international assistance to combat China’s global hybrid war strategies.
If political societies don’t take action right away, they could lose their independence and their primaries. The crisis in South Korea should serve as a clear reminder to all countries: Corruption and foreign disturbance do more harm than simply elections. They also do harm democracy.
Hanjin Lew  is a former foreign spokesman for North Korean traditional parties and a political commentator with an emphasis on East Asian matters.