Korea Fair Trade Commission Chair Joo Byung-ki is facing controversy after posting a public critique on social media about the high vote shares won by People Power Party candidates in some parts of Seoul in the June 3 local elections.

According to the Korea Fair Trade Commission and others on the 5th, the chair the previous day shared party-by-party vote totals for Seoul on his Facebook and wrote, “It is bitter that the exercise of citizens’ rights aligns like this with the order of money.” He added, “Is it blind faith that does not care even if an insurrection is staged? Blind obedience? Or self-deception?”

This is interpreted as a critique of the high support for the People Power Party in areas such as the three Gangnam districts, where housing prices are relatively high.

The post was deleted around 11 a.m. that day, about 17 hours after it was uploaded.

Some say the post by the chair violates political neutrality. Under the Fair Trade Act, members of the Korea Fair Trade Commission may not join political parties or engage in political activities.

There are also comments that this conflicts with the stance of President Lee Jae Myung to humbly accept the election results. The president said the previous day, “The government will humbly uphold the will of the people contained in the local elections,” and, “We will actively cooperate with the newly elected local governments regardless of party affiliation.”