Protests demanding a rerun of the June 3 local elections, which were marred by ballot paper shortages, have been ongoing for 17 days at a ballot counting site in southern Seoul. Demonstrators, mainly in their 20s and 30s, gathered at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul’s Songpa ward, alleging election fraud.
The protests began on June 5 following ballot shortages that temporarily halted voting at 26 polling stations. Despite the National Election Commission’s apology for the shortages, it maintains that a rerun is not necessary under election laws. Authorities are currently investigating the NEC over the ballot discrepancies.
The South Korean government has called for peaceful protests, warning against illegal activities. Meanwhile, the National Assembly initiated procedures for a potential parliamentary investigation into the election irregularities. Requests for the probe were submitted by both the ruling Democratic Party and the opposition People Power Party.
The establishment of a special parliamentary committee to examine the NEC’s alleged mismanagement during the voting process is underway. Negotiations are expected as the ruling and opposition parties differ on the scope and structure of the investigation. The People Power Party has proposed a separate special counsel probe, while the Democratic Party suggests considering it post the parliamentary investigation.
Officials revealed that the rival parties have agreed to hold a plenary session soon to finalize plans for the parliamentary probe. Additionally, the People Power Party’s new floor leader emphasized the necessity of a special counsel investigation, with the presidential office expressing openness to the idea if consensus is reached between the parties.
