Special Parliamentary Committee on NEC Ballot Incident Begins in Earnest... Bipartisan Criticism Over Widespread Absences

Ruling and Opposition Parties Divided over Single-Item Constitutional Amendment

The special committee for a parliamentary investigation to uncover the truth behind the "ballot paper shortage incident" during the 9th Nationwide Local Elections officially began its work on June 23. Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties strongly criticized some officials from the National Election Commission for failing to attend, as well as for refusing to release the minutes of meetings related to ballot paper printing guidelines.

Yoon Sanghyun, chairman of the special committee for the parliamentary investigation (People Power Party), stated at the first meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The violation of citizens' suffrage caused by the ballot paper incident is a very serious issue that shakes the foundation of democracy," adding, "If the National Election Commission wants to maintain its independence, it must expose its own faults and place itself on the operating table."

On the 18th, at the first plenary meeting of the 'Special Committee on a National Investigation for Fact-Finding on the Shortage of Ballots in the Nationwide Local Elections and Election Management Reform' held at the National Assembly, Chairman Sanghyun Yoon struck the gavel. June 18, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

However, at the agency briefing that day, seven out of eight election commission members were absent, except for Wi Cheolhwan, the standing commissioner (and acting chairman). The heads of the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission and Songpa District Election Commission were also not present. This was because the briefing was held before the legally required seven-day notice period for witness summons could be secured.

From the outset, both ruling and opposition lawmakers strongly criticized the Election Commission. Shin Dongwook, a member of the People Power Party, said, "Not a single person who is a key witness in this case has appeared." Kim Youngbae of the Democratic Party of Korea agreed with Shin's point, saying, "That's absolutely right. Their absence is an irresponsible attitude."

In particular, the Election Commission has not disclosed the minutes regarding the decision to set the lower limit for ballot paper printing at 50%. Yoon Kunyung, the ruling party's secretary of the special committee, appeared on MBC's "Kim Jongbae's Focus" and remarked, "Are the election commissioners living in another country?" Meanwhile, Seo Beomsoo, the opposition party's secretary, said, "What are they so afraid of?"

Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties have differing views on the scope of the investigation and plans for reforming the Election Commission. They are also engaged in a war of nerves over the single-item constitutional amendment proposed by President Lee Jaemyung. Yoon stated, "If we want to do it properly, we need to amend the Constitution." However, Seo countered, "What we need right now is not a constitutional amendment, but to reveal the truth."

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