Members of the National Assembly's Special Committee investigating the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections visited the Songpa District Election Commission on July 2 to question officials. They then entered the Olympic Park vote counting center, 27 days after a blockade protest, to conduct an on-site verification and suggested considering a public recount.
Yoon Sang-hyun, the committee chair from the People Power Party, expressed his dismay at the situation, stating, "It is heartbreaking that we could not hold an election due to a lack of K-paper while K-culture is gaining global attention. This should be recognized as a serious breach of democratic rights."
The lawmakers criticized officials from the Songpa District Election Commission. Democratic Party member Lee Gi-heon pointed out that the shortage of ballots was foreseeable on election day and criticized the inadequate response. Jeong Chun-sang from the Justice Party raised concerns about the withdrawal of internal security personnel, noting that they left on June 16.
In response, the Election Commission explained that the actual depletion of ballots took longer than reported and that the withdrawal of security personnel was due to their refusal to extend contracts after facing restrictions from protesters regarding meals and hygiene.
Afterward, the committee members moved to Olympic Park for on-site verification. Yoon stated, "The former head of the Songpa District Election Commission, Jo Si-hoon, testified that the location where the ballots were stored has been preserved as it was."
He added, "We pay our respects to the many patriotic citizens outside who called for the protection of voting rights, allowing us to enter without incident."
Yoon urged the public to watch how the committee seeks solutions through the national investigation and emphasized the need to consider a public recount positively. Approximately 2.47 million ballots are stored at the counting center, with the counting process reportedly costing around 50 million won.
Previously, Election Commission officials indicated during a report that both ruling and opposition party members, along with citizens, expressed support for a public verification of the ballots.
Additionally, Yoon mentioned, "There are limitations to what can be achieved through a national investigation alone; we must also pursue a special prosecutor." Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party agree on the need for a special prosecutor but differ on the selection process.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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