Seoul, June 23: A significant uproar has erupted across South Korea regarding the shortage of ballot papers during recent local elections. The government is facing immense pressure over this issue. In response to the seriousness of the situation, a special parliamentary committee has been established to investigate, which held its first hearing on Tuesday.
This investigation pertains to an incident where a shortage of voting materials was reported at over a dozen polling stations in Seoul during the local elections on June 3. Following this, the National Assembly formed an 18-member special committee.
According to Yonhap News Agency, former National Election Commission chairman Roh Tae-ak stated during the hearing, “I hold myself responsible for the shortcomings observed under the commission’s oversight.”
Meanwhile, acting chairman V Chul-hwan formally apologized to voters, acknowledging the significant inconvenience faced during the voting process, which he deemed unfortunate. He further expressed his readiness to cooperate fully to uncover the truth of the matter, while labeling calls for his resignation as “irresponsible.”
During the hearing, lawmakers expressed frustration at the absence of all but one current commissioner. Both the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the opposition People Power Party condemned the behavior of the absent officials as “collective defiance.”
The investigative committee has decided to summon 43 witnesses, including 27 current and former officials from the National Election Commission.
As part of the ongoing process, a second reporting is scheduled for July 1, followed by a site inspection on July 8, and two days of hearings on July 14 and 22.
On Monday, Yonhap News Agency reported that eight officials have been asked to appear before a joint police and prosecution investigation team. This team is examining the ballot paper shortages that occurred at 26 polling stations nationwide, which temporarily halted voting.
Relevant government personnel were deployed to manage the two polling stations in Seoul where the ballot shortages were reported.
Sources indicate that investigators will seek information from these officials regarding the actions taken by the National Election Commission (NEC) and their response to the situation.
This action follows a raid conducted by the joint investigation team at the NEC office on June 11, as they probe the ballot paper shortage incident.
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