Ballot Shortage Sparks Political Clash: Ruling Party Demands Probe, Opposition Urges Committee Formation

South Korean political parties engaged in sharp conflict on June 6 over the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) insisted on launching a parliamentary investigation and appointing a special prosecutor, while the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) called for cooperation on forming a parliamentary committee first.

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This is a grave act of destroying liberal democracy by depriving citizens of their right to vote.

The PPP initiated the confrontation, with interim leader Jang Dong-hyuk declaring the ballot shortage a "grave act of destroying liberal democracy" by depriving citizens of their right to vote. He demanded an "immediate parliamentary investigation" and the "swift establishment of a special prosecutor" to thoroughly investigate the matter. Jang also proposed forming a pan-national committee for election commission reform, involving political parties, experts, and citizens, and urged an immediate discussion on revising election laws.

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An immediate parliamentary investigation must be conducted, and a special prosecutor must be swiftly appointed for a thorough investigation.

Jang directly challenged the DP and its leader, Lee Jae-myung, stating, "If you continue to turn a deaf ear, the public's anger will bring about the end of the regime." He also expressed solidarity with thousands of young people protesting in Seoul, vowing to "fight alongside the youth, risking my life."

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If you continue to turn a deaf ear, the public's anger will bring about the end of the regime.

In response, the DP accused the PPP of engaging in "political shows and baseless incitement" by using the election management failure for their own agenda. DP spokesperson Jeon Soo-mi argued that while the government and ruling party are moving to address the election commission's mistakes, the PPP's insistence on a parliamentary investigation and special prosecutor without first cooperating on forming a parliamentary committee is contradictory. Jeon criticized Jang's pledge to "fight risking his life" with the protesters as exceeding his role as party leader, especially when the DP advocates for swift action within the National Assembly.

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I will fight alongside the youth, risking my life.