Democratic Party to pursue special prosecutor for ballot paper shortage

The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to pursue a special prosecutor law as its official party stance to investigate the ballot paper shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections. This decision accepts the People Power Party's proposal to conduct both a parliamentary inquiry and a special investigation.

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The Democratic Party will pursue a special prosecutor as its party stance, along with institutional improvements, to get to the root of this incident and punish those responsible.

Han Byung-do, the acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, announced the party's position at a supreme council meeting on June 29. "The Democratic Party will pursue a special prosecutor as its party stance, along with institutional improvements, to get to the root of this incident and punish those responsible," Han stated. He emphasized that the infringement of the right to vote due to the ballot paper shortage is an "unacceptable tragedy" and that "there are no sacred cows in reforming the National Election Commission."

The Democratic Party's shift to support a special prosecutor, a move initially planned after observing the progress of the National Election Commission's parliamentary inquiry, is seen as an effort to appease public criticism regarding the infringement of citizens' right to vote. Analysts also suggest it could be a strategy to secure the People Power Party's cooperation for a "one-point constitutional amendment" needed for reforms, such as the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit of the National Election Commission.

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The infringement of the right to vote due to the ballot paper shortage is an unacceptable tragedy and that there are no sacred cows in reforming the National Election Commission.

In response, People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jin-seok hailed the decision as a "victory for the people who have strongly expressed their will to protect the right to vote." He stressed the party's commitment to "pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor recommended by the opposition party." However, Jang Dong-hyuk, a party leader, expressed caution, urging the Democratic Party not to repeat past patterns of announcing a special prosecutor for a temporary political turnaround, only to delay and ultimately derail the investigation by haggling over the recommendation rights.

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People who have strongly expressed their will to protect the right to vote.

The ballot paper shortage during the recent local elections has sparked significant public outcry and political debate. The Democratic Party's move to push for a special prosecutor signals a commitment to uncovering the full extent of the issue and holding those responsible accountable, while also navigating the complex inter-party dynamics in the National Assembly.

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Pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor recommended by the opposition party.