"Even a One-Point Constitutional Amendment"... "Innovation to the Level of Dismantling"

[Anchor]

President Lee Jae-myung has expressed the need for a "one-point constitutional amendment" to provide checks and balances on the National Election Commission (NEC) in light of the recent "ballot paper shortage." The fact-finding committee also emphasized in its final investigation results that "large-scale innovation bordering on dismantling is necessary."

Reporter Kim Kwan-jin has the story.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung, during a briefing at the Blue House yesterday (June 19), described the ballot paper shortage during the June 3 local elections as "absurd." He criticized the NEC by citing past issues such as hiring irregularities and overseas business trips.

[President Lee Jae-myung: It seems (the NEC) has been enjoying a level of freedom bordering on indulgence.]

President Lee noted that since the NEC is a constitutionally independent body, any laws or systems created for external monitoring and checks are highly likely to be ruled unconstitutional, thus mentioning the need for a constitutional amendment.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Shouldn't we at least have a 'one-point constitutional amendment' regarding the NEC? Even if it means the President has to propose it, if necessary.]

He added that while protests regarding suffrage should be protected, he would respond strictly to the spread of false information or obstruction of official business.

The Central Election Commission's Fact-Finding Committee announced its final investigation results yesterday.

[Cho Hyun-wook / Chairman of the NEC Fact-Finding Committee: It reveals a paralysis in the reporting system and a state of total failure in the election management system.]

The investigation found that on election day, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission first assigned serial numbers to unnumbered ballots at 1:49 PM in response to requests from polling stations facing shortages. Even after assigning serial numbers again at 3:05 PM, they failed to realize the severity of the situation until 4:46 PM, and the Central Election Commission only grasped the situation after 5:00 PM.

[Cho Hyun-wook / Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee: Large-scale innovation bordering on dismantling is necessary...]

The fact-finding committee recommended that the NEC request investigations into 12 officials, including former Central Election Commission Chairman Roh Tae-ak. It also proposed improvement measures, such as raising the ballot printing ratio to "over 70%" and introducing a full-time system for the NEC Chairman.

(Video reporting: Kang Dong-chul, Yoon Hyung | Video editing: Choi Jin-hwa | Design: Kim Han-gil)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.