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Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon Demands End to Election Commission's Flawed Elections, Calls for Audit and Special Prosecutor
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Lawmaker Han Dong-hoon Demands End to Election Commission's Flawed Elections, Calls for Audit and Special Prosecutor

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon called for an end to election management committee-led flawed elections, demanding a state audit and special prosecutor.
  • Han criticized the committee's handling of ballot paper shortages and suggested impeaching committee members if wrongdoing is found.
  • He proposed reforming the committee to a simple executive body and loosening election campaign regulations to curb its power.

Independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon has sharply criticized the National Election Commission (NEC) over recent election irregularities, particularly the shortage of ballot papers. He is demanding a thorough investigation, including a state audit and a special prosecutor, to address what he calls "flawed elections" led by the commission.

We must put an end to flawed elections led by the Election Management Committee.

— Han Dong-hoonOn Facebook, calling for an end to election irregularities.

"We must put an end to flawed elections led by the Election Management Committee," Han stated on Facebook, urging immediate parliamentary audit and a special prosecutor. He emphasized that the resignation of the NEC chairman and secretary-general is insufficient. Han suggested that impeachment proceedings against NEC members should be actively considered based on the findings of the investigation.

While abolishing the NEC would require constitutional amendment, Han argued for immediate reforms to dismantle the committee's current structure. He proposed that the NEC should function solely as a simple executive body until its very existence can be decided. Furthermore, he advocated for significantly easing restrictions on campaign freedom within election laws. Han believes that excessive regulations empower the NEC, allowing it to interpret and enforce rules, thus becoming a dominant force that needs to be reined in.

There is nothing to expect from President Lee Jae-myung, who is lukewarm about the ballot paper shortage after waving them around.

— Han Dong-hoonCriticizing the president's response to the election issues.

Han expressed disappointment with President Lee Jae-myung's perceived lukewarm response to the ballot paper shortage, stating, "There is nothing to expect from President Lee Jae-myung, who is lukewarm about the ballot paper shortage after waving them around." He urged, "This time, let's finally put an end to the flawed elections led by the NEC."

This time, let's finally put an end to the flawed elections led by the NEC.

— Han Dong-hoonUrging decisive action against election mismanagement.

Speaking to reporters at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan, Han reiterated that the incident warrants national outrage and must lead to institutional improvements to prevent similar flawed elections orchestrated by state institutions like the NEC. He also mentioned that if facts reveal wrongdoing, pursuing impeachment and a special prosecutor for the NEC members would be necessary.

This incident is undoubtedly something that the entire nation should be outraged by.

— Han Dong-hoonSpeaking to reporters at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
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Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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