Election watchdog rushes to uncover spy cameras at polling stations

A YouTuber, who allegedly installed spy cameras at some 40 early voting stations ahead of the April 10 general elections, enters a district court in Incheon, Sunday, to attend a hearing held to determine the arrest warrant’s validity, Sunday. Later in the day, the court issued the warrant citing that he could be a flight risk or potentially destroy evidence. Yonhap

The National Election Commission (NEC) is scrambling to uncover hidden cameras at polling stations after a YouTuber was arrested Sunday for installing at least 40 such illegal devices at early polling stations and ballot count locations.

The belated response is raising concerns over the election watchdog's competence in overseeing the April 10 general elections, with early voting scheduled for Friday and Saturday, ahead of the election day.

The NEC announced Monday a plan to run inspections on the eve of early voting and election day to check for secretly installed cameras. The commission said it will utilize hidden camera detectors in cooperation with local governments and the police.

"We will also carry out frequent inspections during the early voting period and on election day," an NEC official said, noting that it will file complaints with police against anyone who attempts to record polling stations.

NEC spokesperson Cho Dong-jin acknowledged that the commission's checklists for polling stations and ballot count locations have been focused mostly on safety inspections such as fire safety systems, and therefore, it had not been prepared for the spy camera issue.

"We will enhance our checklists, as illegal hidden cameras have been found," Cho said during a radio appearance.

Questions remain over the effectiveness of the NEC's belated move to respond to the issue, given that the number of polling stations that will open on election day stands at 14,259, which is four times more than the 3,565 figure for early voting.

Adding to concerns is that the number of NEC employees across the country comes to about 3,000. These employees are tasked with not only checking polling stations but also managing the ballot count, meaning that one employee could get into a situation where he has to check dozens of polling stations on his own in a worst-case scenario.

Cho said his organization is taking the issue seriously, as the attempt to install spy cameras at polling stations could undermine the country's free election system, which is regarded as the foundation of democracy, even if such devices are installed outside polling stations.

What is more serious is that spy cameras could be used to film the inside of polling stations, which would hurt voters' rights to privacy when voting and potentially lead to the nullification of votes.

In addition, subminiature cameras, such as those shaped like a pen, could be utilized, making detection even more difficult.

"We will thoroughly carry out security checks on polling stations and ballot count locations by mobilizing as many personnel as possible," Cho said.

An official of the National Election Commission in Gyeonggi Province monitors security camera footage showing locations where early ballot boxes are stored, Monday, as early voting is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, ahead of election day on April 10. Yonhap

Incheon Nonhyeon Police Station arrested the far-right YouTuber, identified only by his surname, Han, on Sunday after a court issued a warrant citing flight risk and concerns of tampering with evidence.

Police allege the 49-year-old has broken into 40 early voting polling stations, which were set up at community centers across the country, including those in Seoul and Busan, and installed the spy cameras.

Speaking to reporters in front of the courthouse, Han said he did so to monitor the NEC's manipulation regarding the turnout of early voting.

He has consistently speculated about the possibility of rigged elections on his YouTube channels, with circumstances showing that he also installed hidden cameras and recorded the interior of polling stations during the 2022 presidential election and the by-election for the mayorship of Gangseo District in Seoul in October, according to police.

Police added that they are looking into whether there are additional hidden cameras installed in other polling stations across the country.