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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party to Pursue Special Prosecutor for Election Commission Issues

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The Democratic Party plans to pursue a special prosecutor investigation into the election commission's recent issues, including ballot paper shortages.
  • The party also supports institutional reforms for the election commission, including potential constitutional amendments.
  • The main opposition People Power Party also supports a special prosecutor, suggesting a swift agreement between parties is likely.

The Democratic Party announced its intention to pursue a special prosecutor investigation into the recent controversies surrounding the National Election Commission (NEC), including issues like ballot paper shortages. Han Byung-do, the party's acting leader and floor leader, stated on June 29 that the party would make the special prosecutor a party resolution.

"The Democratic Party will push for a special prosecutor to get to the root of this situation and hold those responsible accountable, along with institutional improvements," Han said during a Supreme Council meeting. He added that the party is accelerating NEC reforms, including the establishment of a task force (TF) to meet public expectations. Last week, the NEC reform TF proposed fundamental changes such as dissolving the NEC through constitutional amendment, expanding its standing committee, and introducing a hearing for the Secretary-General.

The Democratic Party will push for a special prosecutor to get to the root of this situation and hold those responsible accountable, along with institutional improvements.

— Han Byung-doActing leader of the Democratic Party announcing the push for a special prosecutor.

"There are no sacred cows in NEC reform," Han asserted. "We will do our utmost to protect the right to vote and restore public trust in elections."

There are no sacred cows in NEC reform. We will do our utmost to protect the right to vote and restore public trust in elections.

— Han Byung-doDemocratic Party's commitment to comprehensive election commission reform.

The Democratic Party's move to push for a special prosecutor, beyond its previous efforts for one-point constitutional amendments, is seen as an attempt to broaden the scope of reform and potentially draw the main opposition People Power Party into the constitutional amendment process. The People Power Party has also been advocating for a special prosecutor, indicating a strong possibility of a swift bipartisan agreement on the matter.

Jang Dong-hyuk, the People Power Party's floor leader, echoed the call for accountability, stating, "The public has clearly seen how arrogant and incompetent the NEC is through the parliamentary audit. It is unlikely that the audit will proceed properly if they do not even attend." He added, "The truth behind the deprivation of citizens' suffrage is likely to remain buried forever. Ultimately, a special prosecutor is the only answer."

The public has clearly seen how arrogant and incompetent the NEC is through the parliamentary audit. It is unlikely that the audit will proceed properly if they do not even attend. The truth behind the deprivation of citizens' suffrage is likely to remain buried forever. Ultimately, a special prosecutor is the only answer.

— Jang Dong-hyukPeople Power Party's floor leader demanding accountability and a special prosecutor.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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