Ruling and Opposition Parties Agree to Process Election Commission Investigation on June 18... People Power Party to Chair Special Committee

Parliamentary Investigation Targeting the National Election Commission and Local Election Commissions

Special Committee Composed with Equal Representation from Both Parties... Two Seats Allocated to Non-Negotiating Groups from the Opposition

The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to process the plan for a parliamentary investigation into the ballot paper shortage incident, targeting the National Election Commission, on June 18. The special committee on the parliamentary investigation will be chaired by the People Power Party.

Junho Chun, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Seungsu Kim, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party, reached a final agreement on handling the parliamentary investigation plan after meeting at the National Assembly on June 16. Chun stated, "We agreed on the parliamentary investigation plan with the aim of promptly uncovering the truth behind the infringement of citizens' voting rights caused by the ballot paper shortage, and preparing a structural reform plan to overhaul the Election Commission."

Junho Chun, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (left), and Seungsu Kim, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the specifics of the agreement, he said, "The parliamentary investigation will focus on the ballot paper shortage and other infringements on citizens' voting rights, as well as election administration reform. The agencies subject to investigation will be the National Election Commission and local election commissions at each level." In addition, officials from city, county, and district offices who participated in election-related work will also be able to be called as witnesses and investigated without restriction.

Regarding the special committee chair, Kim stated, "The opposition People Power Party will take the position," adding, "Because this is a matter of public interest, the committee will be composed equally between the ruling and opposition parties, but we have agreed to include members from non-negotiating groups as well." The investigation period is set at 45 days. It has been reported that two members from non-negotiating groups will participate.

However, significant differences of opinion remain regarding the formation of the Assembly's leadership. The parties are still at odds over which side should take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, with both insisting it should be their own.

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