Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Sunday the party would file a formal request for a parliamentary investigation into the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections, with the submission set for Monday.
Speaking at a press briefing at the National Assembly, Han said the National Election Commission must be held fully accountable. "We must clearly uncover the full picture of whether there were structural flaws in the NEC's internal systems, and move boldly to fix them," he said.
He said the party would ensure that lawmakers who served primarily on the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee — which oversees the NEC — would take part in the investigation to make it substantive.
Nine lawmakers are expected to join the special parliamentary committee for the probe as ruling party members: Yun Geon-yeong, Lee Hae-sik, Kim Seong-hoe, Mo Gyeong-jong, Im Mi-ae, Yang Bu-nam, Lee Sang-sik, Lee Gwang-hui and Chae Hyeon-il.
Han also said the party would immediately open negotiations with the People Power Party on launching the parliamentary investigation. "We will move into the investigation without delay and thoroughly get to the bottom of this incident through a swift probe," he said.
He added that the party would conduct a comprehensive review of all relevant laws, including the Public Official Election Act and the National Election Commission Act, to ensure incidents such as ballots being transported in baskets or zip-lock bags never recur. "We will make certain this leads to systemic reform — and if necessary, through constitutional reform — so that the NEC can be subject to proper checks," he said.
Han said the party would draw up an NEC reform plan that citizens can accept and feel in their daily lives, rebuild a credible election management system that fully protects the public's right to political participation, and restore public trust in the electoral process that has been shaken.
dlcw@heraldcorp.com
