NEC Officials' Mass Absence Sparks Backlash: "Collective Defiance Against the Public"

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The National Assembly's special investigation committee has convened to uncover the truth behind the ballot paper shortage crisis. However, the session faced intense criticism as key officials from the National Election Commission (NEC) responsible for the incident failed to appear in large numbers, with lawmakers labeling the move as "collective defiance against the public."

Reported by Kim Bo-mi.

[Reporter]

Yesterday morning (June 23), at the National Assembly's special investigation committee.

Out of the nine members of the National Election Commission serving at the time of the ballot shortage, only two attended: former Chairperson Noh Tae-ak and Acting Chairperson Wi Cheol-hwan.

As seven NEC members, the Seoul City Election Commission Chairperson, and the Songpa-gu Election Commission Chairperson were among those who failed to show up, lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties harshly criticized the absence as the height of irresponsibility and a disregard for the public.

[Kim Young-bae / Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker: You, more than anyone, should understand the significance of this situation in our constitutional order. The very fact that you are absent from this seat shows how irresponsible your attitude is...]

[Kim Eun-hye / People Power Party lawmaker: The former Seoul City Election Commission Chairperson, the Songpa-gu Election Commission Chairperson, and all non-standing members, including the vice-chairperson, have failed to attend. I view this as collective defiance against the public.]

Former NEC Chairperson Noh Tae-ak expressed his sense of responsibility for the incident but claimed he could not recall details regarding the decision to implement the "50% reduced printing guideline" for ballots.

[Noh Tae-ak / Former National Election Commission Chairperson: I do not remember, but I believe that a report of this brief nature was likely handled through the Secretary-General's final approval.]

Acting NEC Chairperson Wi Cheol-hwan also acknowledged the shortcomings in election management and offered an apology, but drew a line at calls for his resignation.

[Wi Cheol-hwan / Acting National Election Commission Chairperson: The NEC is currently on the verge of paralysis. The approval chain has collapsed. We cannot do anything. I believe that would be irresponsible.]

Oh Min-seok, former Seoul City Election Commission Chairperson, and Min So-young, former Songpa-gu Election Commission Chairperson—who were responsible for the regions most severely affected by the voting disruptions—only appeared late in the afternoon following continued rebukes from the National Assembly.

(Video reporting: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video editing: Jeon Min-gyu)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.