[Anchor]

The National Assembly's special committee on the investigation into the ballot paper shortage incident held its first hearing. Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties criticized the National Election Commission (NEC), stating that it has been in a blind spot for oversight and that issues of preferential contract awards have been exposed.

Reporter Kim Bo-mi has the story.

[Reporter]

The National Election Commission introduced an open auditor system after the scandal involving preferential hiring of relatives of former and current executives in 2023.

At the parliamentary hearing on the ballot paper shortage held today (July 14), it was pointed out that the rate of disciplinary reductions has actually increased since the audit system was reformed.

[Yoon Kun-young / Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker: Is this not why people point out that the NEC is a blind spot for oversight, almost like an extraterritorial zone?]

Criticism also poured out regarding whether this was a "Seonpia (NEC-mafia) cartel," as it was revealed that the NEC signed 103 contracts worth a total of 17.5 billion won with three companies related 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 right after 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 about potential infringement on independence—Acting Chairperson Wi Chul-hwan responded as follows:

[Choi Bo-yoon / People Power Party lawmaker: The NEC secretariat sent a legal review opinion even before the review began. Isn't this 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 the same number of votes were recorded in some regions. Regarding the point that voters whose suffrage was infringed upon should be compensated, the commission expressed that it would "review the matter."

Regarding the issue of recounting the 2.47 million ballots stored at the Seoul Olympic Park, the Democratic Party of Korea called for an immediate recount, while the People Power Party stated that a special counsel investigation should take priority.

(Video reporting: Lee Seung-hwan, Shin Dong-hwan | Video editing: Won Hyung-hee)