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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Opposition Demands Election System Overhaul, Special Prosecutor Probe Over Ballot Shortages

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The main opposition Democratic Party demands a structural reform of the election management system following ballot shortages in the recent local elections.
  • Party leader Rep. Chung Sye-kyun vowed to use all available means, including a special prosecutor, to investigate the issue.
  • The party plans to form a special committee to address the election irregularities.

South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party is calling for a sweeping overhaul of the country's election management system in response to ballot shortages experienced during the recent local elections. Party leader Rep. Chung Sye-kyun declared on June 10 that the National Assembly would mobilize all resources to reform the election management structure. He also indicated that a probe by a special prosecutor would be pursued alongside a potential parliamentary inquiry.

The National Assembly will mobilize all resources to reform the election management structure.

— Rep. Chung Sye-kyunThe Democratic Party leader's statement outlining the party's commitment to structural reform of the election system.

Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting, Rep. Chung emphasized the significance of the June 10 Democratic Uprising anniversary, stating that it paved the way for a citizen-sovereign era. He argued that the election commission must undergo fundamental reform to address the "unforgettable stain" left by the ballot shortage incident, asserting that the principle of one-person, one-vote must be upheld.

We will not neglect to investigate through a special prosecutor.

— Rep. Chung Sye-kyunIndicating the party's willingness to pursue a special prosecutor investigation into the election irregularities.

In response to the issue, the Democratic Party announced its decision to form a special committee dedicated to investigating the election irregularities. This move signals the party's intent to thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the ballot shortages and hold those responsible accountable.

The election commission must undergo fundamental reform to address the unforgettable stain left by the ballot shortage incident.

— Rep. Chung Sye-kyunEmphasizing the need for deep-seated changes within the election commission.

Rep. Han Byung-do, the party's floor leader, also addressed the controversy, criticizing the ruling People Power Party's reaction. He specifically targeted Rep. Jang Dong-hyuk's remarks, accusing him of fanning conspiracy theories about election fraud. Han urged the People Power Party to cease inciting division and focus on the National Assembly's truth-finding efforts, questioning whether their electoral victories were based on such alleged fraud.

Stop inciting conspiracy theories and national division, and focus on the National Assembly's truth-finding efforts.

— Rep. Han Byung-doThe Democratic Party's floor leader criticizing the ruling party's response to the election issues.
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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