PPP Calls for Halt of Seoul Vote Counting... Jang Donghyuk Visits Election Commission to Protest (Comprehensive)

"Invalid Election Due to Contamination"

Calls for Vote Counting Suspension and Re-Election

Song Eonseok Also Demands Rescheduling of Election Day

Election Commission Avoids Direct Answer

On June 3, the People Power Party called on the National Election Commission to suspend vote counting and hold a re-election, in response to a shortage of ballots at some polling stations in Seoul and Incheon. Jang Donghyuk, Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, announced that he would personally visit the National Election Commission to protest and demand a halt to the vote counting.

At an emergency briefing held at the party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the same day, Chairman Jang stated, "A shortage of ballots occurred at 17 polling stations, including in Songpa-gu, Seoul," adding, "Voters' right to vote and political participation have been seriously infringed upon."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is holding an emergency briefing regarding the shortage of ballots at the party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the afternoon of June 3. Leader Jang urged the "immediate suspension of vote counting." June 3, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

He criticized, "Although the nationwide voter turnout in the main election has already exceeded that of the previous election since the morning, the prepared ballots were insufficient. In the case of Jamsil 2-dong, the possibility of a ballot shortage was raised three hours earlier, but the Election Commission took no action."

He continued, "There are likely voters who gave up voting while waiting for ballots, and some may have decided not to visit the polling stations at all after hearing the news. It is also possible that some voters who cast their ballots after 6 p.m. did so after watching the ballot counting broadcast."

He went on to say, "This Seoul-area election is already tainted. Vote counting must be suspended immediately until the facts are clarified, and depending on the investigation results, a re-election should be held."

Regarding the reports of similar cases in Incheon and other regions, Chairman Jang stated, "Vote counting should be halted in all areas where this issue has occurred, and a re-election should be held if necessary."

Previously, in an emergency briefing delivered under the name of Co-Chairman Song Eonseok, the People Power Party also demanded the suspension of vote counting in Seoul and a rescheduling of the election day. Chairman Song said, "According to Article 196 of the Public Official Election Act, vote counting in Seoul must be immediately suspended and a new election day designated," emphasizing, "This is not something that can be resolved with a mere apology from the Election Commission. It is a matter that has seriously undermined the fairness of the election."

In response, the National Election Commission issued a public apology in the afternoon, stating, "We take full responsibility." However, the commission refrained from giving a direct answer regarding the People Power Party's demand to suspend vote counting.

Heo Cheolhun, Secretary General of the National Election Commission, commented, "First, it is important to complete the vote counting and accurately assess the situation before informing the public. If there is any need for accountability afterward, we will take responsibility." He added, "Since I have just heard about the People Power Party's demand to suspend vote counting, it is difficult to provide an immediate response."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.