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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

South Korean Party Leader Demands Investigation Over Election Ballot Shortage

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A senior member of South Korea's People Power Party, Jang Dong-hyuk, is demanding a parliamentary investigation and a special prosecutor into a ballot shortage incident during local elections.
  • Jang criticized the National Election Commission (NEC) for its handling of the issue, citing inconsistencies in the number of affected districts and questioning the reliability of the NEC's statements.
  • He called for a thorough investigation into all NEC officials and staff involved, emphasizing that the commission has exceeded its capacity for self-reform.

Jang Dong-hyuk, a leader within South Korea's People Power Party, has escalated calls for accountability following a significant ballot shortage during the recent local elections. He is demanding both a parliamentary inquiry and the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the "grave act of destroying liberal democracy" that he believes deprived citizens of their right to vote.

It is a grave act of destroying liberal democracy that deprived citizens of their right to vote.

— Jang Dong-hyukThe People Power Party leader describing the impact of the ballot shortage incident during local elections.

Speaking at an emergency supreme council meeting, Jang Dong-hyuk sharply criticized the National Election Commission (NEC) for its management of the crisis. He pointed to discrepancies in the reported number of districts facing ballot shortages, noting initial reports of 14 areas expanded to 50, including two in Incheon, with additional ballots sent to 67 locations. "We cannot know how many such incidents occurred nationwide, and the NEC's announcements are not trustworthy," Jang stated.

We cannot know how many such incidents occurred nationwide, and the NEC's announcements are not trustworthy.

— Jang Dong-hyukCriticizing the National Election Commission's handling and reporting of the ballot shortage.

Jang asserted that the resignation of NEC Chairman Noh Tae-ak and the secretary-general is insufficient. He insisted that all NEC commissioners, regional election commission chairpersons, and committee members must be held responsible. "All of them and NEC staff must be thoroughly investigated and held accountable to the end," he urged.

All of them and NEC staff must be thoroughly investigated and held accountable to the end.

— Jang Dong-hyukDemanding accountability for all National Election Commission officials and staff involved in the ballot shortage.

Furthermore, Jang Dong-hyuk called for an immediate discussion on NEC reform and amendments to election laws, arguing that the commission has lost the ability to reform itself. He also pledged solidarity with the young people demanding a by-election in Jamsil, stating, "If the youth do not give up, I will never give up."

If the youth do not give up, I will never give up.

— Jang Dong-hyukExpressing solidarity with young people demanding a by-election following the election irregularities.
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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