▲ Acting Secretary-General of the National Election Commission Kang Dong-wan (third from left) answers lawmakers' questions during the second hearing of the Special Committee on 국정조사 (Parliamentary Investigation) into the Infringement of Citizens' Right to Vote, including the shortage of ballot papers in the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections, held at the National Assembly on the 22nd.
The activity period of the National Assembly Special Committee on Parliamentary Investigation (Special Probe Committee), launched in the wake of the June 3 ballot paper shortage incident, will be extended by 30 days until the end of August.
The ruling and opposition parties have also tentatively agreed to conduct a recount of ballot boxes at the counting station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 18th of next month under the auspices of the Special Probe Committee, while agreeing to discuss adjusting the date if necessary after reviewing the progress of the independent counsel investigation into the National Election Commission.
The Special Probe Committee on the ballot shortage incident held a full meeting this afternoon (the 30th) and passed a motion to extend its operational deadline, which was scheduled to end on the 1st of next month, by 30 days.
This follows an agreement between the floor leaderships of the ruling and opposition parties.
During the extended period, the Special Probe Committee tentatively agreed to hold an additional third hearing on the 10th of next month and conduct an on-site verification through a recount at the Songpa-gu counting station on the 18th.
In addition, a full meeting will be held on the 28th to adopt the interim report on the parliamentary investigation and vote on filing complaints against witnesses who failed to attend or committed perjury.
However, room was left to adjust the schedule for the August 18 recount on-site verification in connection with the independent counsel's activities.
During today's full committee meeting, opinions were divided between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the schedule for the recount on-site verification.
Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party pointed out, "If the recount on-site verification is definitively set for sometime in August, it could conflict with the independent counsel's investigation schedule or lead to various variables."
On the other hand, Rep. Yoon Kun-young, the Democratic Party's secretary on the committee, countered, "The agreement between the floor leaders was to extend the Special Probe Committee by a month to conduct the recount within August. Adjustments within August can be made, but pushing it into September would break the spirit of the agreement."
In response, Special Committee Chairman Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party concluded, "This is a tentative draft. Although the visit to the recount site such as the Songpa-gu counting station is scheduled for August 18, it could flexibly be held in late August. We will proceed with the understanding that the public recount will be conducted in connection with the independent counsel."
Previously, the opposition People Power Party demanded that a public recount be conducted under the supervision of the soon-to-be-launched independent counsel probe into the National Election Commission, whereas the Democratic Party had expressed a negative stance while calling for a prompt recount.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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