South Korea's National Election Commission is facing criticism after a promotional video for vote-counting observers featured a graphic resembling a skate fish [1].

The controversy is significant because the skate fish, or "hongeo," is frequently used as a derogatory slur in online communities to disparage people from the Honam region. Given the commission's role as a neutral arbiter of democratic processes, the inclusion of the image has raised concerns about regional bias and sensitivity within the government body.

The video was originally posted to the National Election Commission's official YouTube channel on May 28 [1]. It was also featured on KBS terrestrial broadcast screens during vote-counting coverage [1]. The issue gained wider public attention following a report by the Kyunghyang Shinmun on June 4 [1].

According to the commission, the graphic was the result of an AI video generation program used by KBS N, the production company responsible for the content [1]. The AI was given a specific prompt describing a "translucent ray-shaped soul leaving through the mouth" [1]. This prompt led the software to generate the image of the fish, which viewers identified as a skate fish [1].

The National Election Commission and KBS N are now dealing with the fallout of the AI-generated imagery. While the creators attributed the image to a literal interpretation of a prompt by the AI, critics argue that the failure to review the final output for cultural connotations reflects a lack of diligence. The skate fish has long been a flashpoint for regional tensions in South Korean politics, often used to marginalize the southwestern province of Jeollanam-do.

Because the video was distributed through official government channels and a major national broadcaster, the reach of the imagery was extensive. The commission has not yet detailed specific disciplinary actions regarding the production oversight [1].

“A promotional video featuring a skate fish graphic has sparked accusations of regional bias.”

This incident highlights the risks of integrating generative AI into official government communications without rigorous cultural auditing. In a politically polarized environment where specific symbols carry deep historical and regional weight, the 'hallucinations' or literal interpretations of AI can be perceived as intentional malice, potentially undermining public trust in the neutrality of electoral institutions.