Recently declassified U.S. government documents have revealed, for the first time, that the U.S. government has been implementing policies restricting the entry of individuals involved in election fraud abroad.
According to the declassified documents exclusively obtained by the online newspaper Sky Daily on the 22nd, the U.S. Department of State imposed visa restrictions on individuals suspected of engaging in electoral fraud around Liberia’s presidential election last September.
In a newly declassified diplomatic cable (FL-2024-00051, A-00000784551) released by the State Department on July 31 this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, "The United States will restrict visa issuance to individuals deemed responsible for, or complicit in, undermining Liberia's democracy," specifically prioritizing those involved in electoral malpractice.
The documents also specify that deliberate actions aimed at improperly influencing election outcomes, as well as efforts to suppress freedom of expression by civil society or the media, would make individuals subject to sanctions.
Furthermore, the policy confirmed that those participating in violent acts to disrupt peaceful assemblies or associations would also face U.S. entry bans. Notably, the measures extend to family members of individuals implicated in election fraud.
Secretary Blinken described the policy as reflecting the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting the Liberian people in their pursuit of free and fair elections that reflect the will of the electorate.
Meanwhile, in South Korea, controversy is growing as influential public figures are criticized for allegedly ignoring the essence of investigating election fraud, which undermines constitutional order and national sovereignty. Instead, some have shown unrestrained support for impeachment, participated in rallies, or posted pro-impeachment messages on social media.
This has sparked backlash, particularly among conservative groups, against celebrities such as singer IU, NewJeans, Lee Seung-hwan, Bong Joon-ho, Cho Jin-woong, and Girls’ Generation’s Yuri, who are perceived to have expressed support for impeachment. Calls to report these individuals to the CIA have gained momentum.
Notably, this situation has highlighted contradictions among so called "Gangnam Leftists" and "Fashion Leftists"—individuals who criticize the U.S. while sending their children to study there. Many employees and other participants of pro-impeachment rallies have been hastily deleting their social media posts in embarrassment.
While some question the effectiveness of reporting such cases to the CIA, and media outlets amplify these doubts, the revelation of actual visa restrictions by the U.S. State Department suggests that reporting to both the CIA and the State Department may prove more effective moving forward.
For Korean shopping and business agency services
Comments