PM Kim calls on election watchdog to 'wake up,' warns of growing calls for its dissolution

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok sharply criticized the National Election Commission on Thursday over the ballot shortage that marred the June 3 local elections, saying the agency must "truly wake up, from top to bottom."

Speaking at an interministerial meeting on violations of citizens' voting rights at the Government Sejong Building, Kim said the crisis stemming from the June 3 local elections had dragged on and public concern was mounting. He called it an "unprecedented infringement of citizens' voting rights."

"The fact that ballot boxes that should have been preserved as evidence have already been destroyed suggests the NEC still does not fully grasp the gravity of the situation," Kim said. "If the NEC continues like this, there will certainly be public voices calling for its dissolution."

Kim also urged the political establishment to cooperate on uncovering the truth and improving the electoral system.

"A request for a parliamentary investigation into the NEC was submitted to a plenary session of the National Assembly today," he said. "I ask that the ruling and opposition parties swiftly discuss forming a special committee to consolidate democracy, and lead a thorough fact-finding process and reform discussions."

He also called on investigative authorities to "conduct the investigation as swiftly and rigorously as possible, centered on the joint investigation headquarters."

Kim also took a firm stance against disruptive conduct by some protesters at the Jamsil vote-counting center blockade, saying "violations of democratic order cannot be tolerated."

"Actions that exploit the public's demand to defend democracy in order to destroy democratic order and democracy itself can never be tolerated," he said. He instructed relevant ministries to respond with a zero-tolerance approach and ensure such conduct was never repeated.

Kim said the government would "humbly accept legitimate grievances and discussions," but would "respond to the end on principle against anti-democratic behavior that inconveniences citizens."

Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to hold a plenary session of the National Assembly next week to adopt a parliamentary investigation plan into the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections.

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do, the party's senior floor management deputy Cheon Jun-ho, People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik and the PPP's senior floor management deputy Kim Seung-su reached the agreement at a National Assembly meeting, according to Assembly chief spokesperson Jang Hyeon-ju.

Jang said Assembly Speaker Jo had proposed that "we should quickly schedule a plenary session next week, form a parliamentary investigation special committee and discuss the investigation plan," adding that both floor leaders agreed.