People Power Party lawmaker calls for special prosecutor over election ballot shortage

Kim Jae-sup, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, has demanded the introduction of a special prosecutor to investigate the ballot shortage that occurred during the recent 6.3 local elections. He stated on May 5th that the incident violated the principle of universal suffrage and infringed upon citizens' right to vote, calling it an "anti-constitutional situation."

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The ballot shortage incident violated the principle of universal suffrage and infringed upon citizens' right to vote, making it an anti-constitutional situation. We must not just examine lawsuits for election invalidation but must clearly reveal the cause through a special prosecutor.

Kim argued that the cause of the shortage, whether a simple administrative error, a systemic failure, or something more, cannot be fully determined by the National Election Commission's internal investigation alone. He emphasized the need for a special prosecutor to thoroughly investigate the matter.

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Whether it was a simple administrative mistake, a systemic failure, or something more, the cause cannot be determined by the Election Commission's own investigation. This is precisely why a special prosecutor is needed.

While acknowledging that the police have begun investigating election commission officials, Kim pointed out the limitations of a police probe. He highlighted that the Election Commission is an independent body under the constitution, designed to protect election fairness from political power. However, he asserted that this independence has made it a "sacred territory" that is difficult for any investigation or audit to penetrate effectively.

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The independence of the Election Commission, originally intended to protect election fairness from political power, has become a sacred territory in reality. No investigation or audit has been able to properly penetrate it.

Kim further explained that standard investigative agencies face structural constraints in fully examining the internal decision-making and command structure of an independent institution. He believes only a special prosecutor can overcome these barriers. Additionally, Kim suggested that appointing a special prosecutor is crucial to prevent the spread of "conspiracy theories" about fraudulent elections. He asserted that a thorough and independent investigation is the only way to establish facts, counter baseless theories, and restore public trust in the electoral system. He warned that refusing a special prosecutor would only fuel suspicion.

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Only a special prosecutor can overcome the structural limitations that prevent ordinary investigative agencies from fully exploring the internal decisions and command structure of an independent body.