[Anchor]
A parliamentary hearing was held to uncover the truth behind the shortage of ballot papers. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties joined in their criticism.
Reporter Kim Bo-mi has the story.
[Reporter]
The National Election Commission (NEC) introduced an open auditor system after the scandal involving preferential hiring of relatives of current and former executives in 2023.
At the parliamentary hearing on the ballot paper shortage held yesterday (July 14), it was pointed out that the rate of disciplinary reductions has actually increased since the reform of the audit system.
[Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker: Is this not why people point out that the NEC is a blind spot for oversight, effectively operating in a state of extraterritoriality?]
Criticism also poured in regarding allegations of a so-called "Seonpia (Election + Mafia) cartel," with claims that the NEC awarded 103 contracts worth a total of 17.5 billion won to three companies linked to former employees and their families.
[Joo Jin-woo / People Power Party lawmaker: Is it appropriate to award private contracts like that to an organization that has only been established for one year since their retirement?]
[Roh Tae-ak / Former Chairperson of the National Election Commission: I believe it is inappropriate.]
Regarding an SBS report that the NEC sent reference materials containing a "recommendation to dismiss" to the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission ahead of an election petition review—raising concerns over potential infringement of independence—Acting Chairperson Wi Chul-hwan responded as follows:
[Choi Bo-yoon / People Power Party lawmaker: The NEC secretariat sent legal review opinions before the review even began. Is this not election manipulation?]
[Wi Chul-hwan / Acting Chairperson of the National Election Commission: I believe it must be done independently. I apologize.]
The NEC stated that it is "possible to conduct a public recount" if the National Assembly passes a resolution regarding the controversy over so-called "twin votes," where identical vote counts appeared in some regions. Regarding the point that voters whose suffrage was infringed upon should be compensated, the commission stated it would "review the matter."
Regarding the issue of recounting the 2.47 million ballots stored at the Olympic Park in Seoul, the Democratic Party of Korea called for an immediate recount, while the People Power Party maintained that a special counsel investigation should come first.
Reported by Lee Seung-hwan and Shin Dong-hwan | Video by Won Hyung-hee | Produced by SBS Digital News
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