Politics · South Korea · 3 hrs ago
Police investigate suspected election poll manipulation in South Korea's Jeonbuk region
South Korean election polls have faced repeated manipulation allegations in contests including the 2022 local elections and the 2024 parliamentary election.
In earlier cases, people allegedly used phones registered under other names or changed billing addresses to take part in polls, affecting close party nominations.
Police say irregular polling activity appeared in eight of Jeonbuk's 14 municipalities during this year's local elections, including unusually high response rates and rapid increases in registered phone numbers.
After reviewing data, police excluded three municipalities from the investigation and are focusing on suspected manipulation in Imsil and Jinan.
A former candidate has also called for a stronger investigation in Buan, while police say they are pursuing the case appropriately.
Police have questioned dozens of people and say they are examining whether different laws apply to party nomination polls and media polls.
They aim to complete the investigations before the December 3 deadline for bringing election-related charges.
Jeonbuk police are investigating suspected opinion-poll manipulation in five counties after irregularities were reported in the region’s 2026 local elections.
The police initially examined eight of the province’s 14 municipalities, then excluded three from the inquiry after analyzing poll data and searching mobile-phone companies.
Investigators are focusing on Imsil and Jinan counties, where response rates were especially high, and have questioned dozens of people as suspects.
A former Buan county mayoral candidate has argued that police should also investigate suspected manipulation in Buan.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and that they are reviewing which laws may apply.
- Who
- Jeonbuk police are investigating suspected poll manipulation and have questioned dozens of people as suspects.
- What
- Police are examining suspected distortion of opinion polls connected to the 2026 local elections.
- When
- The investigation followed the June 3, 2026 local elections and was still ongoing on November 1.
- Where
- Jeonbuk region, South Korea, with police focusing on Imsil and Jinan counties.
- Why
- Police suspect opinion polls were distorted; the sources do not state a specific motive.
Former Buan candidate Kim Yang-won
Jeonbuk police
Scope of investigation
Former Buan candidate Kim Yang-won
Kim said Buan needed a thorough investigation like Imsil and Jinan.
Jeonbuk police
Police said they had examined the evidence and excluded three of the eight municipalities initially considered.
Police response
Former Buan candidate Kim Yang-won
Kim alleged police were not investigating Buan adequately despite a rise in mobile-phone safe numbers and a high poll response rate.
Jeonbuk police
Police said the inquiry was ongoing and that they were proceeding in consultation with prosecutors.
Suspected manipulation in a Democratic Party primary for Jangsu county head led to family members and associates of both sides being charged.
A campaign office manager used about 100 phones under other people’s names in a Democratic Party primary; the manager’s suspended prison sentence became final in January 2026.
South Korea held local elections, after which Jeonbuk police began investigating suspected poll distortion in eight municipalities.
Former Buan candidate Kim Yang-won alleged that Buan also needed a thorough investigation.
Police said the investigation was ongoing and that they were consulting prosecutors.
- Initial scope
- 8 of Jeonbuk’s 14 municipalities
- Current focus
- Imsil and Jinan counties
- Suspects questioned
- Dozens
- Buan poll response rate
- 43.3%, according to Kim Yang-won’s allegation
- Prosecution deadline
- December 3, 2026
1 source
What people are saying
The investigation into suspected opinion-poll manipulation has not yet concluded.
We are carefully reviewing the relevant laws because manipulation during party primaries may be subject to charges under the Public Official Election Act, while matters concerning media opinion polls may also give rise to obstruction of business charges.