PPP lawmaker calls for complete dissolution of election commission

People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Young-ha called Sunday for the complete dissolution of the National Election Commission and its replacement with a body that operates only during elections.

Writing on his Facebook page, Yoo said the recent ballot shortage had exposed the commission as "an all-powerful organization that is corrupt and irresponsible." He said the agency should be "completely dissolved and reorganized into a body that operates only during elections, subject to external audits and oversight."

He also said the Public Official Election Act must be revised so the commission "can no longer play games" and so that vague, discretionary interpretations of its provisions are no longer possible.

Yoo said both parties share common ground on the issue and should work together — holding expert public hearings and reviewing overseas legislative models — to dismantle the current commission and build a replacement organization.

He added that once National Assembly committee assignments are finalized, a parliamentary investigation should be launched, followed by the appointment of a special prosecutor to hold accountable those responsible for the crisis and punish them severely as a deterrent.