People Power Party Submits Request for Parliamentary Inquiry into Ballot Paper Incident: "Equal Representation, Opposition Chairperson"

Kwak Kyutaek: "Both Parties Will Submit Their Requests Separately, Then Discuss"

The People Power Party submitted a request on June 8 for a National Assembly investigation to uncover the truth behind the ballot paper shortage incident that occurred during the 9th nationwide local elections. The party also called for the establishment of a committee with 18 members, based on equal representation between the ruling and opposition parties, and for the chairperson to be selected from the opposition.

People Power Party floor senior spokespersons Kyu-Taek Kwak and Sujin Choi, along with floor deputy representative Eun-Seok Choi, submitted a "Request for a National Assembly Investigation to Uncover the Truth Regarding the Election Commission Ballot Shortage Incident" to the National Assembly Secretariat on the 8th.

On the morning of the same day, three People Power Party lawmakers—floor senior spokespersons Kyu-Taek Kwak and Sujin Choi, along with floor deputy representative Eun-Seok Choi—visited the National Assembly Secretariat to submit the request for a parliamentary investigation. After submitting the request, floor senior spokesperson Kwak told reporters, "All 110 People Power Party assembly members have submitted a request for a National Assembly investigation to uncover the truth regarding both the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections and the police's use of force to suppress protests."

The People Power Party included in the request a comprehensive call to investigate all aspects of the election administration. Specifically, the investigation would cover: ▲ the causes and circumstances of the ballot paper shortage incident; ▲ all matters related to the simultaneous voting and vote counting, as well as the decision to refuse to suspend the vote counting; ▲ a full-scale survey on the extent of voter disenfranchisement and the validity of the election; ▲ the circumstances surrounding broadcasters' announcement of exit polls before voting ended and the validity of the election; and ▲ all aspects of ballot paper management, including printing guidelines and distribution, sealing and storage, the legality, timing, and method of ballot box transfers, and the appropriateness of budget execution.

Kwak stated, "The number of members on the investigation committee is set at 18," adding, "The investigation period will be 60 days from the formation of the special committee." He also said, "I think it is only right for the opposition to chair the committee this time," but added, "Coordination with the Democratic Party is necessary." As the Democratic Party is also expected to submit a request for a National Assembly investigation on this day, the People Power Party explained that "both parties will submit their own requests and discuss the matter further afterward."

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