The attacks, which took place during the October 2011 Seoul mayoral by-election, targeted the websites of the National Election Commission (NEC) and then-mayoral candidate Park Won-soon.
[3] The attacks were conducted during the morning, when citizens--particularly young voters looking to vote before work--would have been expected to look up polling station locations.
[2] It has been theorized that the attacks were conducted in the belief that they may reduce voter turnout, to the benefit of the Grand National Party's candidate Na Kyung-won.
[4] These events caused a collective panic amongst GNP members as they often denounce the online activities of South Korean progressives.
[clarification needed][8] The exposure of his role in the attacks led to Choi Gu-sik officially resigning his position as a lawmaker,[9] along with several other members of the GNP.