South Korean Parties Agree on Parliamentary Inquiry Over Election Ballot Shortage

South Korea's major political parties have reached an agreement to proceed with a parliamentary inquiry into the ballot paper shortage that plagued the June 3 local elections. The plan is to process the inquiry's resolution at a plenary session on June 18, aiming to uncover the truth behind the incident and reform election management.

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The ruling and opposition parties' floor leaders agreed to hold a parliamentary inquiry into the ballot paper shortage incident and to process the inquiry plan at the plenary session on the 18th.

The inquiry, tentatively titled "Inquiry into the Ballot Paper Shortage and Investigation into Election Management Reform," will target the National Election Commission (NEC) and its regional branches. Notably, the police have been excluded from the investigation's scope. The parties agreed that the inquiry's primary objective is to swiftly investigate the violations of citizens' suffrage rights caused by the ballot paper shortage and to lay the groundwork for substantial reforms within the election commission.

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The parties agreed to conduct the inquiry with the aim of swiftly clarifying the truth about the infringement of citizens' suffrage rights caused by the ballot paper shortage and establishing a foundation for the comprehensive reform of the election commission.

Key to the agreement is the duration of the inquiry, set at 45 days, with provisions for extension if further investigation is deemed necessary. The main opposition People Power Party will chair the special committee, which will comprise 18 members: nine from the Democratic Party, seven from the People Power Party, and two from smaller, non-aligned parties. This arrangement reflects a customary rotation of committee leadership between the major parties.

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Since many local governments are directly involved, regarding witness applications, the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to actively cooperate in selecting witnesses, including the Minister of the Interior and Safety and other officials from the Ministry, as well as relevant officials from the cities and counties where the ballot paper shortage occurred.

Discussions also involved the inclusion of witnesses, with both parties agreeing to cooperate in summoning officials. This includes the Minister of the Interior and Safety and other ministry officials, as well as relevant local government officials from areas where the ballot paper shortages occurred. The parties expressed commitment to finalizing the committee's composition and ensuring a smooth process for the June 18 plenary session.

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The chair of the inquiry special committee will be taken by the People Power Party this time, as it is their turn according to custom.