Special Committee on NEC Investigation Begins Operations, Adopts Investigation Plan

The National Assembly's "Special Committee on the Investigation of Infringements on Citizens' Suffrage, Including the Ballot Shortage Incident During the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections, and Election Management Reform" held its first meeting today (June 18) and officially began its operations.

During the first plenary session held today, the committee appointed Representative Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party as its chair, and Representatives Yoon Kun-young of the Democratic Party of Korea and Suh Bum-soo of the People Power Party as the ruling and opposition party secretaries, respectively. The committee also adopted the parliamentary investigation plan.

The investigation period is set for 45 days, starting today and running until August 1, with the National Election Commission (NEC) and its regional offices designated as the subjects of the investigation.

The scope of the investigation includes the circumstances surrounding the ballot shortage, the criteria for calculating the number of printed ballots, potential flaws in the establishment of related guidelines, and overall on-site management by the NEC on election day. It also covers the timing of when the NEC became aware of the shortage, the functionality of its command and reporting systems, the appropriateness of follow-up measures, the extent of the infringement on voters' rights—such as delays or temporary suspensions of voting—and the determination of responsibility, including potential dereliction of duty by the NEC during the incident and its aftermath.

In his opening remarks, Chair Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party stated, "The fact that citizens were unable to vote because there were no ballots, which are the most fundamental element of exercising the right to vote, is a total failure of election administration and incompetence itself." He emphasized, "We must clearly identify where the responsibility lies, from the root cause of the incident to the entire process of the subsequent response."

Representative Yoon Kun-young, the opposition secretary, said, "The ballot shortage incident literally trampled on and damaged the people's suffrage. There is no ruling or opposition party, no progressives or conservatives on this issue." He added, "This is an investigation where there is no room for political strife. The ruling and opposition parties must join forces to thoroughly hold the NEC accountable for its incompetence and poor management, and to find ways to reform the system."

The investigation plan passed by the special committee is expected to be adopted at the National Assembly plenary session scheduled for this afternoon.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.