Lee calls for parliamentary probe, joint investigation into ballot shortage at local elections

President Lee Jae-myung on Sunday called on the National Assembly to launch a parliamentary investigation into the ballot shortage that disrupted the June 3 local elections, and said the government would form a joint investigative body to pursue the matter swiftly.

In a Facebook post, Lee asked the Assembly to "promptly pursue a parliamentary investigation to clearly establish the facts of this incident and put in place measures to prevent a recurrence." He added that the government would "consider all possible measures at the administration level given the gravity of the situation," and said he had directed prosecutors and police to form a joint investigative headquarters to fix accountability and thoroughly uncover the full picture of the incident.

He also requested that the Assembly "discuss fundamental reforms to the system governing the National Election Commission."

Lee said the National Election Commission "caused serious disruption to the exercise of citizens' voting rights during the June 3 local elections," adding that "the incident itself is difficult to accept, and the response that followed and the explanations offered to the public were also insufficient."

He said the right to vote "is a constitutional right that must not be restricted or infringed upon for any reason," calling the incident "a serious matter that has undermined the very foundation of popular sovereignty." He expressed "deep regret, both as a citizen and as the president responsible for the government."

Lee said the NEC chairperson is designated one of the five senior constitutional figures "because the NEC, like the executive, legislative and judicial branches, is an independent institution bearing commensurate authority, duties and responsibilities," and warned that "an independent institution that has lost the public's trust has no reason to exist."

He said the NEC "must take this incident seriously and clearly demonstrate the will for sweeping reform and renewal — at a level the public can trust — along with a fundamental review of its organizational operations and overall election administration."

The ballot shortage struck 50 polling stations across the country, including in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Wednesday, the main voting day for the local elections. Rallies criticizing the NEC and demanding a by-election have since been held in Jamsil 7-dong in Songpa-gu and other affected areas.

NEC Chairman Noh Tae-ak held a press conference Friday and expressed his intention to resign, saying he felt full responsibility for the ballot shortage.

The Democratic Party of Korea plans to submit a formal request for a parliamentary investigation into the ballot shortage on Monday.