Noh Taeak Steps Down as Election Commission Chairman... Chief Justice Accepts Resignation

On June 8, Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae accepted the resignation of Noh Taeak, Chairman of the National Election Commission, who took responsibility for the ballot shortage incident that occurred during the June 3 local elections.

According to the legal community, on this day, Chief Justice Cho officially revoked Noh's appointment as a commissioner of the National Election Commission and notified the Commission of this decision.

Chairman Noh expressed his intention to resign on June 5, just two days after the ballot shortage incident emerged at polling stations. At the time, he stated, "I fully accept responsibility for all aspects of this incident," and added, "I will sincerely cooperate with all procedures to clarify the Commission's accountability, including the National Assembly's parliamentary investigation." He further emphasized, "If I am found to be responsible as a result, I will not evade that responsibility under any circumstances."

The National Election Commission consists of a total of nine members: three appointed by the President, three elected by the National Assembly, and three nominated by the Chief Justice. By convention, a Supreme Court Justice has typically served concurrently as the Chairman of the National Election Commission.

Noh Tae-ak, Chairman of the National Election Commission, is bowing in apology to the public on the 5th at the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, regarding the ballot paper shortage incident. Photo by Yonhap News

Chairman Noh was appointed as Chairman of the National Election Commission in May 2022, having been nominated by former Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su. Subsequently, Chief Justice Cho nominated Justice Cheon Dae-yeop as Noh's successor ahead of the expiration of Noh's Supreme Court Justice term in March of this year. However, as the National Assembly's confirmation process did not proceed, Noh continued to serve as Chairman even after retiring from the Supreme Court.

The six-year term for members of the National Election Commission is managed separately from the term as a Supreme Court Justice. With Chairman Noh's resignation, the Deputy Secretary-General is now effectively serving as the top full-time executive at the Commission.

Meanwhile, on the same day, President Lee Jaemyung met with key officials from all four branches—including the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice, and the Acting President of the Constitutional Court—to discuss the ballot shortage incident. It is reported that the participants agreed on the need for comprehensive improvements to the election management system.

In particular, as concerns have continued to be raised about the current structure in which a Supreme Court Justice serves part-time as Chairman of the National Election Commission, sources indicate that converting the Chairman's position to a full-time role was also a major agenda item discussed at the meeting.

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