Song Eon-seok Proposes Parliamentary Probe Into Ballot Paper Shortage... Calls for Election Commission Secretary General's Resignation

Song Eonseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, proposed on June 5, "We suggest to the Democratic Party of Korea that a special emergency parliamentary investigation committee be immediately established in connection with the recent shortage of ballot papers." He also said, "Heo Cheolhun, Secretary-General of the National Election Commission, and the head of the Seoul Election Commission should take responsibility for the situation and resign immediately."

Meeting with reporters that morning, Floor Leader Song stated, "President Lee Jaemyung also said that strict accountability must be enforced for this incident, yet more than a full day has passed without any visible government action. We urge the government to take immediate measures," he added.

Floor Leader Song also commented on the police dispersing protesters at the Jamsil 7-dong No. 2 polling station that morning, saying, "Dozens of citizens gathered to protest against the severe mismanagement of the voting process, but about 1,000 police riot officers physically dragged ordinary citizens out." He continued, "There are even videos circulating showing police assaulting citizens. I urge the Minister of the Interior and Safety to immediately verify the facts and severely punish the officers involved."

Song Eonseok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party and Co-Chairman of the Joint Election Countermeasures Committee, is holding a press conference to appeal to the public regarding the June 3 local elections at the National Assembly on June 1, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Song further stated, "The National Election Commission must immediately conduct its own thorough investigation and clearly disclose the findings to the public." He continued, "We also propose that the ruling party take legislative action to strengthen institutional controls over election management procedures and regulations."

Regarding Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, announcing that he would demand a special prosecutor if a parliamentary investigation is not accepted, Song said, "Through unofficial channels, we have already proposed to the ruling party that the special parliamentary committee be established immediately, and have also conveyed the demand for Secretary-General Heo’s immediate resignation."

Song also commented on President Lee, saying, "There may be debate over whether the President has the constitutional authority to dismiss the Secretary-General of the National Election Commission, but before the political community makes such demands, shouldn’t the President act regarding Secretary-General Heo?" He added, "As the person ultimately responsible for state affairs, shouldn’t the President do something about this violation of constitutionally guaranteed suffrage?"

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