[Anchor]
The National Assembly's special parliamentary investigation committee, formed to uncover the truth behind the ballot paper shortage incident, has tentatively agreed to conduct a recount of the ballot papers stored at Seoul Olympic Park on the 18th of next month. The "Election Commission Special Counsel Act" also passed the National Assembly through a bipartisan agreement.
Reporter Go Jeong-hyeon has the details.
[Reporter]
The National Assembly passed a motion yesterday (the 30th) by a bipartisan agreement to extend the activities of the special parliamentary investigation committee on the ballot paper shortage incident by an additional 30 days.
The special committee, extended until the end of next month, reached a consensus to hold its 3rd hearing on the 10th of next month, followed by a recount on the 18th of 2.47 million ballot papers for Songpa-gu, Seoul, which are stored at the handball gymnasium in Seoul Olympic Park.
However, the date and time for the recount are currently a tentative agreement only between the ruling and opposition floor leaderships, meaning they remain subject to change.
[Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker: Since we extended the special investigation committee by a month for the recount, I believe the recount must proceed unconditionally within August...]
[Joo Jin-woo / People Power Party lawmaker: While it might be fine if it doesn't interfere at all with the special counsel's investigation schedule, if it conflicts with that part or if we lock down the timing rigidly like that...]<br />
The special counsel act regarding the ballot paper shortage incident also passed the National Assembly through a bipartisan agreement.
A public recommendation committee, composed of an equal number of members recommended by the ruling and opposition parties, will receive three special counsel candidates each from the Korean Bar Association and the Korean Law Professors Association, and then recommend two of them to the president.
The special counsel team, comprising around 165 members and operating for a maximum of 170 days, will investigate 12 allegations, including not only the ballot paper shortage incident but also overseas junket trips by current and former election commission members and employees, preferential promotions for their children, manipulation of election statistics, and poor management of the election management system.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
Reported by Oh Young-chun and Lee Seung-hwan | Video by Oh Young-taek | Graphics by Han Heung-soo and Lee Jun-ho
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