NEC allows 'No Lee Jae-myung' banner to be posted... to "guarantee political freedom"

[Anchor]
The National Election Commission reversed its previous position and decided that a banner containing the phrase "No Lee Jae-myung" could be used.

As the Constitutional Court's decision on the impeachment trial is still underway, the NEC explains that this phrase can be seen as a simple political slogan, not a pre-election campaign on the premise of an early presidential election.

Reporter Kang Min-kyung reports.

[Reporter]
The NEC held a general meeting presided over by Chairman Roh Tae-ak and finally decided that it could hang a banner criticizing Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party.

Earlier, he reversed a verbal notice saying he could not use a banner saying, "No Lee Jae-myung."

The NEC explained that it decided to operate Article 254 of the Public Official Election Act in a way that broadly guarantees freedom of political expression in consideration of social change and public perspective.

As the Constitutional Court's decision to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol is underway, the part of "No Lee Jae-myung" can be seen as a simple political slogan, not a pre-election campaign.

The controversy over the banner began on the 19th when Rep. Jeong Yeon-wook, a member of the People's Power, disclosed that he had received a "no" policy for hanging the phrase in his district.

At that time, the NEC explained that pre-election campaigns aimed at losing certain candidates were not allowed in the face of the possibility of early presidential elections.

However, when it was revealed that the banner of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, which claimed that "the Yoon Suk Yeol was absent from impeachment, and Jeong Yeon-wook is also an accomplice in rebellion," was allowed, the people's power immediately set the stage.

[Kim Sang-hoon / Chairman of the People's Power Policy Committee: I would like to ask again what authority and qualification the NEC has to make the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol a fact and call for an early presidential election.]

In the wake of a series of backlash, the NEC backed down for now, saying it was a "hurry decision."

[Kim Yong-bin / Secretary-General of the National Election Commission: After reviewing the law, I think it's too early and premature to make a decision.]

Although the NEC eventually changed its position, the People's Power raised its offensive level further, saying it would conduct a full investigation on a banner depicting the ruling party lawmaker as a "civil war accomplice" within this week.

[Park Soo-min / People's Power Floor Spokesperson: There are banners on the wall such as a conspiracy for rebellion, but it seems inevitable to take legal action because it is to announce the fact that it has not been confirmed.]

As the NEC pointed out that it had to set stricter standards in a more sensitive political situation than ever, the controversy over the banner left an uncomfortable aftertaste.

I'm Kang Min-kyung of YTN.