[Anchor]

The National Assembly's special committee investigating the ballot paper shortage during the June 3 local elections conducted an on-site inspection today at the Songpa-gu Election Commission and the Jamsil vote counting station. However, reports indicate that protesters have gathered at the scene, leading to clashes and making it difficult for the committee to enter the facility.

Reporter Ha Jeongyeon has the story.

[Reporter]

As the National Assembly's special committee scheduled an on-site inspection of the Jamsil vote counting station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, for today, protesters gathered early at the site, resulting in clashes.

Arguments between opposing groups led to shouting and physical altercations, and 119 emergency services were dispatched following reports that a protester had collapsed.

Figures who have alleged election fraud, including Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty and Innovation Party, and producer Lee Young-don, were also present at the scene.

While the committee members plan to proceed with the inspection with the cooperation of the police, entry into the facility remains difficult at this time.

It is reported that approximately 380 ballot boxes and 2.47 million ballots from across Songpa-gu remain inside the stadium, having not yet been moved.

Earlier today, starting at 10:00 a.m., the special committee visited the Songpa-gu Election Commission to receive reports on the management of ballot papers, the response process at the time of the incident, and the voting and counting procedures.

Lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties criticized the Election Commission with one voice.

[Yoon Gun-young / Democratic Party of Korea : Is it not the incompetence of the Election Commission that you failed to properly calculate the population increase caused by large-scale reconstruction projects?]

[Seo Beom-soo / People Power Party : In districts like Jung-gu, Seodaemun-gu, and Gangseo-gu, the printing ratio was increased. Yet, only Songpa-gu maintained the 50 percent rate.]

The special committee plans to hold its first hearing on the 14th and a second hearing on the 22nd before adopting a final report on the investigation.

(Video reporting: Yang Ji-hoon, Video editing: Jang Hyun-gi)