National Assembly Special Committee and Election Commission Clash Over Recount Schedule and Method... Opposition Demands Verification with Special Prosecutor

Differences Emerge from the Outset of the Third Hearing

Ruling Party: "The National Assembly Is Responsible for the Recount... The Schedule Must Be Finalized"

Some Opposition Lawmakers: "Investigation Should Extend to Previous Presidential and General Elections"

On August 10, the National Assembly Special Committee for the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Ballot Shortage Crisis in the June 3rd Local Elections, which recently extended its investigation deadline by one month, held its third hearing. Members of the ruling and opposition parties clashed over the timing and procedure of the "Songpa District ballot recount." Lawmakers from the main opposition party, People Power Party (PPP), demanded that the recount be conducted under the supervision of the soon-to-be-launched special prosecutor. Additionally, some in the PPP asserted that not only the recent local elections, but also the previous presidential and general elections should undergo a full investigation.

Suh Beomsoo, a PPP representative on the committee, stated, "The reason for extending the special committee's mandate was based on the intention to conduct a recount in conjunction with the special prosecutor, which is why we tentatively agreed on the 18th," and added, "If the appointment of the special prosecutor is finalized, I hope we can coordinate with the special prosecutor to create a schedule for public verification."

(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Donghae Lee = On August 10, witnesses including former Central Election Commissioner Taeak Noh took their oaths at the 3rd hearing of the "9th National Simultaneous Local Elections Ballot Shortage Incident and Public Suffrage Infringement Fact-Finding and Election Management Reform Special Committee" held at the National Assembly. 2026.8.10 eastsea@yna.co.kr (End)

In response, Yoon Kunyoung, a Democratic Party of Korea representative on the committee, countered, "The special committee for the parliamentary inquiry is the body responsible for public verification (of the recount)," and emphasized, "The fact that lawless and illegal circumstances (at Olympic Park) have persisted for more than two months in Korea is in itself a serious problem."

Joo Jinwoo, a PPP lawmaker, claimed at the hearing that election turnout itself had been manipulated, saying, "Previously, any wrongdoing occurred during the process of correcting erroneously entered data, but this so-called 'time machine manipulation' is a fraudulent and illegal act planned from the outset." He added, "The investigation should not be limited to the local elections. It should be expanded to include votes manipulation in the last presidential and general elections, and immediate forcible investigation should be launched."

The Citizen Recommendation Committee, agreed upon by both parties, is scheduled to select two candidates for special prosecutor nomination by August 14 and recommend them to the President. The President must appoint one of them as special prosecutor within three days of receiving the recommendation letter.

At the hearing, witnesses included Taeak Noh, former Central Election Commission Chairman, and Chulhwan Wi, acting Chairman of the Central Election Commission.

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