AJU PRESS ASIA FIRST NEWS AGENCY

Journalist

KWONKYUHONG
  • Election Commission Sends Additional Ballots to 67 Polling Places Amid Shortage
    Election Commission Sends Additional Ballots to 67 Polling Places Amid Shortage As the ballot shortage crisis continues to spark controversy during the June 3 local elections, the National Election Commission (NEC) announced that it had sent additional ballots to 67 polling places nationwide due to shortages. On June 5, Yoon Jae-soo, head of the Election Policy Division at the NEC, stated during a briefing at the Gwacheon headquarters, "We sent additional ballots to 67 out of 14,288 polling places across the country." The highest number of shortages occurred in Seoul, with 35 polling places affected, followed by Busan and Gyeongnam with eight, Daegu with seven, Incheon with six, and Ulsan with three. Notably, in Songpa-gu, 15 out of 146 polling places received emergency ballot supplies. While 17 polling places did not use the additional ballots, the remaining 50 polling places confirmed that they were utilized for voting. The NEC attributed the ballot shortage to an underestimation of the number of voters compared to the previous local elections, leading to a 50% reduction in ballot printing. The commission explained that due to an increase in early voting, there was a tendency for excess ballots to remain, prompting them to reduce the print quantity while considering the processes for retrieval, storage, and disposal. In fact, the NEC revised its guidelines before the elections, setting a minimum printing quantity of 60% for presidential and National Assembly elections and 50% for local elections, allowing adjustments based on local conditions. In response to questions from reporters regarding the significant ballot shortages in Songpa-gu, Yoon stated, "While there was no overall shortage of ballots in Songpa-gu, we believe that some polling places experienced shortages due to discrepancies in distribution." He added, "I apologize for our failure to establish specific procedures for transferring ballots in case of shortages, and we will comprehensively review the criteria and procedures for determining print quantities to prevent recurrence of this issue." The NEC plans to form an investigation committee to further examine the circumstances surrounding the incident. To ensure impartiality, the committee will consist solely of external experts to identify the causes of the situation and develop measures to prevent its recurrence. Meanwhile, on the same day, Noh Tae-ak, the chairman of the NEC, and Heo Cheol-hoon, the secretary-general, resigned in light of the ballot shortage crisis. Noh expressed his deep remorse during a public apology, stating, "I take full responsibility for the situation."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 18:45:00
  • Justice Ministry Honors Fallen Correctional Officers in June Memorial
    Justice Ministry Honors Fallen Correctional Officers in June Memorial On June 5, the Justice Ministry's Correctional Headquarters, led by Lee Hong-yeon, visited the "Memorial Tower for Fallen Correctional Officers" at the Seoul Southern Correctional Facility to pay tribute and honor the spirits of the deceased. The event, held in recognition of the sacrifices made by correctional officers who lost their lives in service to the nation and its citizens, included the participation of families of the fallen officers, adding to its significance. The memorial tower was established in June 2023 to honor the 167 correctional officers who died during the Korean War, and the Correctional Headquarters has continued to hold annual memorial events since then. During the ceremony, Woo Jun-sik, grandson of the late Woo Hak-jong, former director of the Kaesong Youth Detention Center, expressed gratitude for the annual remembrance and hoped that the honor of correctional officers would be preserved. Song Young-sam, president of the Korea Correctional Officers' Association, emphasized the noble sacrifices of their predecessors and called for amendments to the National Cemetery Act to ensure that correctional officers, like military personnel, police, and firefighters, can be buried in national cemeteries without discrimination. Lee Hong-yeon, head of the Correctional Headquarters, stated, "We will never forget the spirit of sacrifice of our fallen correctional officers," offering condolences to the families and pledging to do his utmost to uphold the pride and honor of correctional officers.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 17:12:00
  • Election Commission Chair Resigns Amid Ballot Shortage Crisis
    Election Commission Chair Resigns Amid Ballot Shortage Crisis In the wake of ongoing controversy over a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, Na Tae-ak, the Chair of the National Election Commission, has resigned, taking responsibility for the crisis. On June 5, Na announced his resignation during a public apology at the commission's office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, stating, "I feel a deep sense of responsibility for all that has transpired and will step down from my position as Chair of the National Election Commission." He added, "The high level of public interest and active expression of will regarding local governance has been undermined by the ballot shortage. As the Chair, I feel a profound sense of despair and an immense responsibility for the erosion of public trust in election management, which has led to skepticism about the electoral process." Na emphasized, "There is no excuse for the occurrence of an event that infringes upon the precious right of citizens to participate in elections. I will establish an investigation committee as quickly as possible to identify the fundamental causes and issues surrounding the ballot shortage and to develop measures to prevent its recurrence, ensuring that all findings are transparently disclosed." He also pledged that the investigation committee would be composed entirely of external experts to ensure objectivity and thoroughness. Na committed to fully cooperating with any National Assembly inquiries regarding the commission's responsibilities in this matter, stating, "If there are responsibilities to be taken after the results are revealed, I will not evade them." Following Na's announcement, the commission plans to swiftly establish an investigation committee made up of external experts to determine the causes of the crisis and propose preventive measures. Na, who was appointed as Chair of the National Election Commission in May 2022 following the retirement of former Supreme Court Justice Na Jeong-hee, will leave office after approximately four years, failing to complete his six-year term. On the election day of June 3, unprecedented scenes unfolded as voters were unable to cast their ballots due to a shortage of ballots at polling stations in areas such as Gangnam, Gwangjin, and Songpa districts in Seoul. Some voters, exhausted from long waits, chose to abandon their attempts to vote, raising questions about the commission's response. Notably, far-right civic groups, including history lecturer Jeon Han-gil and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, who have long claimed electoral fraud, have been staging protests at polling stations in Songpa and the commission's office in Gwacheon. Additionally, the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa, which had been blocked by protesters, finally had two ballot boxes removed for counting after police deployed 1,000 riot officers over a period of two nights and three days. 2026-06-05 16:54:00
  • Legal Battle Looms Over Voting Paper Shortage in Local Elections
    Legal Battle Looms Over Voting Paper Shortage in Local Elections A historic shortage of voting papers during the June 3 local elections is set to escalate into a legal battle. A constitutional petition has been filed alleging violations of voters' rights, while defeated candidates are preparing lawsuits to invalidate the election and seek state compensation, indicating a broad legal confrontation ahead. According to legal sources on June 5, the Constitutional Court has accepted a petition filed by a citizen against the National Election Commission (NEC) regarding the constitutionality of the voting paper shortage. The petitioner claims that the NEC's failure to provide sufficient ballots infringed upon the fundamental right to vote. Additionally, attorney Do Tae-woo, who previously represented the defense during President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, has announced plans to file a constitutional petition and a request for a provisional injunction against the NEC. The Constitutional Court will first review whether the petition meets legal requirements with a designated panel of three judges. If deemed valid, the case will be referred to the full panel of nine judges for further deliberation. Civic groups have also swiftly filed criminal complaints. On June 3, the Citizens' Livelihood Countermeasures Committee reported NEC Chairman Noh Tae-ak and Secretary-General Heo Cheol-hoon, among other senior officials, to the Seoul Metropolitan Police for neglect of duty and abuse of power. The police plan to begin investigations with witness interviews starting June 8. As the situation develops into a legal dispute, legal experts suggest that proving criminal intent may be challenging unless clear evidence is presented. The most contentious legal issue will likely arise from lawsuits filed by defeated candidates. The NEC has stated that there will be no re-voting or re-elections due to this incident. However, under the Public Election Act, candidates or parties can file for election invalidation or disqualification lawsuits within two weeks of the election date. The critical question remains whether the shortage of ballots had a tangible impact on the election results. Attorney Jeong Byeong-sil, an expert in election law, noted, "A shortage of ballots alone does not automatically invalidate an election. The specifics and extent of the violation, as well as the number of voters who left without voting, will be key issues that could affect the outcome of the election." Jeong added that since Oh Se-hoon, affiliated with the People Power Party, was elected, it seems unlikely that the party would continue to demand a halt to the counting process. However, for city councilors or district councilors, if they believe their election outcomes were affected, they may still pursue separate lawsuits for election invalidation or disqualification. In contrast, the situation could change for local council elections where outcomes are determined by narrow margins. If the number of voters who could not cast their ballots exceeds the vote difference, it could be argued that the irregularity affected the election results. Furthermore, there is a possibility that a similar case from the 2021 Berlin local elections, where a shortage of ballots led to a re-election order the following year, could be mirrored in local elections in South Korea. However, a lawyer from Seocho District stated, "The mentioned overseas case differs from our legal system, and the circumstances are quite different from those in South Korea, so even if a lawsuit proceeds, it seems unlikely that the results of the Seoul mayoral election would be deemed invalid." Separately from the potential for election result reversals through lawsuits, individual voters whose rights were infringed may have a strong case for civil claims against the state for compensation. Jeong explained, "Regardless of the conclusion on election invalidation or disqualification, voters who did not receive ballots could file for damages against the state due to the infringement of their voting rights." 2026-06-05 16:39:00
  • Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik Requests Suspension of Imprisonment
    Former Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik Requests Suspension of Imprisonment Kim Bong-sik, the former chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, has requested a suspension of his imprisonment related to charges of participating in a coup and performing significant duties during a state of emergency. According to legal sources on June 5, Kim submitted his request for suspension on June 2 to the Seoul High Court's dedicated coup trial division (Judges Lee Seung-cheol, Jo Jin-goo, and Kim Min-a). The reason for his request is reported to be attendance at a family event. The suspension of imprisonment is a legal provision that allows for temporary release if the court recognizes urgent reasons, such as serious illness, childbirth, or attending a family funeral. The court plans to carefully review Kim's reasons before making a decision. Kim was arrested and indicted in January of last year. He was granted bail during the first trial in June of the same year. However, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February and has remained in custody while awaiting further proceedings. Born in 1967, Kim graduated from the National Police University and was appointed as an inspector in 1989. He has held various positions, including chief of the Daegu Dalseo and Dongbu Police Stations, head of the investigation division at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, director of the National Police Agency's Investigation Bureau, and chief of the Gyeonggi Southern Police Agency. He was appointed as the chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in August 2024. He faces charges for actively participating in the enforcement of martial law, including issuing orders to block the National Assembly's perimeter during the state of emergency declared on December 3 of the same year. However, Kim, along with former President Yoon Suk Yeol, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, and former Director of the Military Intelligence Command Noh Sang-won, filed a motion to disqualify the coup trial division last month. As a result, the trials for Kim and the remaining defendants, including former Police Chief Jo Ji-ho and former National Assembly Security Chief Mok Hyun-tae, are currently being conducted separately.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 15:57:00
  • Special Prosecutors Investigate Former Presidential Secretary Yoon Jae-soon for Abuse of Power
    Special Prosecutors Investigate Former Presidential Secretary Yoon Jae-soon for Abuse of Power The special prosecutor team, led by Kwon Chang-young, is intensifying its investigation into allegations surrounding the relocation of the presidential residence by summoning former presidential chief secretary Yoon Jae-soon for questioning. On June 5, the special prosecutor's office announced in a media statement that it is investigating Yoon as a suspect for abuse of power, having summoned him for questioning starting at 10 a.m. today. Yoon, who oversaw the practical aspects of the presidential residence's relocation in 2022, is accused of illegally reallocating 2.8 billion won from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's budget to pay an unqualified contractor, 21 Gram. The special prosecutor's team believes that despite objections from relevant departments, Yoon and other officials from the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, including former chief of staff Kim Dae-ki, directed the illegal reallocation of the budget from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's Government Building Management Headquarters. They are currently under investigation and detention. Additionally, the special prosecutor's team has determined that former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min was also involved in the process, questioning him as a suspect for abuse of power the day before. They have gathered testimonies indicating that Lee retaliated against employees who opposed the budget reallocation by excluding them from promotions and applying pressure. Furthermore, the special prosecutor's team is continuing its investigation into potential involvement from higher-ups, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol, during the relocation process. The detention period for Yoon and Kim is set to expire on June 10. The special prosecutor's team plans to conclude its investigation and decide on charges before this deadline. Given the urgency of the matter, a direct investigation into former President Yoon is expected to take place soon.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-05 11:18:00
  • Kim Yong-hyuns Constitutional Challenge to Insurrection Court Law Moves Forward
    Kim Yong-hyun's Constitutional Challenge to Insurrection Court Law Moves Forward Kim Yong-hyun's legal team has formally challenged the constitutionality of the "Special Act on Criminal Procedures for Insurrection, Foreign Exchange, and Rebellion" (Insurrection Court Law), which has now been accepted for review by the Constitutional Court. According to legal sources on June 4, the Constitutional Court has referred the case to its full bench of nine justices after a preliminary review on June 2. Typically, the court assesses whether a constitutional challenge meets legal requirements through a designated panel of three justices. If deemed valid, the case is then escalated to the full bench for further deliberation. The court has determined that Kim's challenge meets the necessary legal criteria without any grounds for dismissal. Previously, Kim's team had requested the Seoul High Court to rule on the constitutionality of the law, arguing it infringes on the right to a fair trial. However, the court dismissed the request, stating that the law designating a specific court for these cases falls within the legislative discretion. Following this rejection, Kim's team promptly filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court. In addition to Kim, former President Yoon Suk-yeol has also filed a similar constitutional challenge regarding the same law, which is already under review by the full bench. Legal experts suggest that the Constitutional Court may consider both cases together.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 17:24:00
  • Election Commission Apologizes for Ballot Shortage Amid Ongoing Protests
    Election Commission Apologizes for Ballot Shortage Amid Ongoing Protests The National Election Commission (NEC) issued a public apology for an unprecedented ballot shortage that prevented voters from casting their votes during the June 3 local elections. Despite the apology, conservative groups have continued to protest outside the NEC headquarters since the previous night, and several top officials have been reported to authorities. On June 4, conservative groups gathered outside the NEC office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, to express their outrage over the ballot shortage that occurred during the election. Among the protesters was Jeon Han-gil, a lecturer who has long claimed election fraud. He led hundreds of demonstrators in a protest demanding the election be declared invalid. Jeon claimed over a microphone that evidence of election fraud was rampant across the country, while protesters waving South Korean and American flags chanted slogans such as "Election Fraud Legislative Dictatorship," "Declare the Election Invalid," and "Stop the Counting," demanding access to the NEC's main entrance. Other notable figures at the protest included PD Lee Yong-don, Professor Moss Tan from Liberty University in the U.S., and Hwang Kyo-ahn, head of the Liberty and Innovation Party. As daylight broke, some protesters left, but Jeon and others remained at the NEC's main entrance, confronting police who had deployed over 300 officers, including riot police, in anticipation of potential unrest. Complaints have also been filed against key NEC officials. The conservative civic group, the People's Livelihood Countermeasure Committee, reported NEC Chairman Noh Tae-ak, Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon, Seoul Election Commission Chairman Oh Min-seok, and others to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency for abuse of power and neglect of duty. The committee stated, "Depriving citizens of their right to vote undermines and destroys the foundations of liberal democracy," and called for a suspension of the counting process and a national audit until the issue is resolved. Civic group Participation Solidarity also issued a statement criticizing the NEC for its lax management of election procedures, which led to a fundamental infringement of voters' rights. They emphasized that the NEC's excuses were unacceptable given the anticipated increase in voter turnout due to early voting. They called for a thorough investigation to clarify how such a shocking situation occurred and to hold those responsible accountable. Despite ongoing complaints and protests from civic groups, the NEC has firmly stated that there will be no re-election. In a statement, the NEC explained that the ballot shortage at some polling stations on election day does not constitute grounds for postponement or re-election under the Public Election Act. They pledged to make every effort to investigate the matter and implement measures to prevent a recurrence once the counting process is complete. Secretary General Heo also expressed deep regret, stating, "We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to citizens who came to exercise their precious right to vote and for undermining public trust in fair election management. The NEC recognizes the seriousness of this issue and will accurately identify the causes and problems behind the ballot shortages at certain polling stations and establish preventive measures immediately after the counting concludes." On June 3, some polling stations in Gangnam, Gwangjin, and Songpa districts of Seoul experienced ballot shortages, leading to disruptions in voting. In some locations, voting was halted around 4:10 PM, and voters were issued waiting numbers. The NEC later confirmed that 14 polling stations (12 in Songpa, 1 in Gangnam, and 1 in Gwangjin) were affected by the ballot shortage. However, the People Power Party claimed that ballot shortages also occurred at some polling stations in Incheon’s Yeonsu District and Dongtan District in Gyeonggi Province.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 15:12:00
  • Court Denies Exit Ban Suspension for Professor Moss Tan Amid Criminal Investigation
    Court Denies Exit Ban Suspension for Professor Moss Tan Amid Criminal Investigation A South Korean court has rejected a request to suspend an exit ban on Moss Tan, a professor at Liberty University in the United States, who is under investigation for allegedly claiming that President Lee Jae-myung was involved in past criminal activities, including election fraud. According to legal sources on June 4, the Seoul Administrative Court, presided over by Judge Wi Ji-hyun, dismissed Tan's application to suspend the exit ban imposed by police. The court acknowledged the urgent need to prevent irreparable harm to Tan but stated that suspending the ban could significantly impact public welfare. The ruling emphasized that investigations should not be unnecessarily prolonged due to the exit ban, but it also noted that there was no substantial reason to deem the police's judgment regarding the necessity and validity of the exit ban unreasonable. While the court recognized the potential for Tan to suffer irreparable damage from the exit ban, it concluded that the risk to public welfare from lifting the ban was greater. Tan, a Korean-American, immigrated to the United States with his family in 1979. He earned a Juris Doctor from Northwestern University School of Law in 2001 and became a licensed attorney in Illinois. Tan, who served as the U.S. Department of State's Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice during the Trump administration, is currently under police investigation for spreading false information, including claims that China interfered in South Korea's elections and that President Lee spent time in a juvenile detention center. After Tan returned to South Korea on May 28, police requested his attendance for questioning. However, when Tan's team did not comply, they applied for the exit ban, prompting Tan to file a lawsuit against the decision.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-04 11:12:00
  • Prosecutors Indict Jang Yoon-ki for Murder of High School Student in Gwangju
    Prosecutors Indict Jang Yoon-ki for Murder of High School Student in Gwangju Jang Yoon-ki has been indicted for the murder of a high school student in Gwangju, whom he killed on the street without any prior acquaintance. Prosecutors determined through further investigation that sexual assault was the primary motive behind the crime. According to the legal community on June 2, the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office's Criminal Division 3, led by Chief Prosecutor Kim Jin-hee, has charged Jang with murder under the Special Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence Crimes. On May 5, at approximately 12:10 a.m., Jang fatally stabbed 17-year-old Lee Chae-won near Namseong University in the Gwangsan District of Gwangju. He also injured a male student who attempted to intervene. Immediately after the attack, Jang fled in his vehicle and discarded both the car and the weapon about a kilometer from the crime scene. He turned off his phone and washed his blood-stained clothes at a nearby laundromat, demonstrating a calculated effort to evade capture. Despite these actions, Jang was apprehended by police at 11:24 a.m., just 11 hours after the incident, near his residence. During police questioning, Jang reportedly stated that he was contemplating suicide when he saw the passing high school student and decided to kill her. The weapon used in the crime was purchased prior to the attack. Initially, police treated the case as a random murder, but prosecutors concluded through additional investigation that Jang had planned to abduct Lee for sexual assault. Prosecutors cited evidence that Jang attempted to overpower Lee from behind and drag her toward his vehicle, as well as similarities between this incident and a previous sexual assault he committed against a foreign female coworker in her twenties. While police initially charged Jang with general murder, prosecutors have now applied charges of rape and murder. The minimum sentence for general murder is five years in prison, whereas the penalty for rape and murder can be death or life imprisonment. Additionally, prosecutors have added charges of assault, attempted murder, confinement, and violations of the Stalking Punishment Act related to the previous assault on the female coworker. In response to Jang's indictment, Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho expressed his condolences to Lee's family on Facebook, noting that just two days prior, they had publicly appealed for severe punishment for Jang. "As a father of two daughters myself, I can hardly fathom the grief of parents who have lost their beloved child overnight," he wrote. Jung emphasized that the Ministry of Justice will ensure strict penalties for Jang's crimes, as well as for heinous acts targeting vulnerable groups such as youth and women. He pledged to prevent offenders from receiving unjust leniency through claims of mental instability or false remorse during trial.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-06-02 16:57:00