Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party and chair of the special committee investigating the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, publicly distanced himself from claims within his party linking voting rate discrepancies to election fraud.
During a meeting on August 7 at the National Assembly titled 'Suggestions from University Students on the Election Commission's Ballot Shortage,' Yoon stated, "To equate false reporting of voter turnout with vote manipulation is a logical leap and incitement."
He specifically countered assertions made by party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and lawmaker Joo Jin-woo, who suggested that manipulation of voter turnout could lead to vote manipulation, saying, "While they claim that voter turnout manipulation necessarily leads to vote manipulation, these are completely different matters."
Yoon emphasized, "We should not amplify or reproduce allegations of election fraud and politicize anger. Political parties should resolve issues within the system rather than inflaming public outrage."
He also highlighted the necessity of a recount at the Jamsil Olympic Park ballot counting center, addressing allegations that approximately 1,900 ballots went missing. The recount aims to verify the presence of all ballots and resolve the controversy.
Yoon proposed strengthening external oversight of the Election Commission, suggesting the establishment of an independent, permanent audit committee with the authority for both ruling and opposition parties to recommend members, with audit results reported to the National Assembly.
The special committee is set to hold a hearing on August 10, requiring the attendance of 29 officials from the Election Commission, including former chairman Noh Tae-ak and acting chairman Wi Cheol-hwan. The list of witnesses also includes Election Commission staff from Incheon, Gimpo, and Uiwang, where allegations of voter count discrepancies and manipulation of hourly voting rates have emerged.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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