The shortage of ballots that prevented some voters from casting their votes during the June 3 local elections has entered a phase of investigation. The police have begun looking into allegations against Noh Tae-ak, the chair of the National Election Commission, as calls for constitutional complaints and re-election protests grow.
According to legal sources on June 7, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Special Investigation Unit will conduct an investigation of complainants against Noh and others starting at 9:30 a.m. on June 8.
The Citizens' Livelihood Countermeasure Committee (CLCC) has accused Noh and others of dereliction of duty and obstruction of the exercise of rights. The day before, they submitted an amended complaint adding charges of embezzlement and breach of trust.
In addition to the CLCC, several civic groups have filed complaints.
Six organizations, including the Speculation Monitoring Capital Center, the National Solidarity, the Justice Coalition, and the Mugunghwa Club for Rule of Law and Democracy, submitted complaints to the National Investigation Headquarters through the National Petition Office. They included all eight members of the National Election Commission as targets of their complaints.
The police are reportedly focusing on legal reviews. Given the rarity of cases where a failure to predict election demand resulted in a ballot shortage, they are examining relevant precedents and the applicability of the law.
The police plan to verify whether the Election Commission adhered to its standards for ballot distribution and the decision-making process through data collection and interviews with involved parties.
Justice Minister Jeong Seong-ho also addressed the seriousness of the situation.
Minister Jeong stated, "This is a serious issue that severely infringes upon the fundamental democratic right of voting, which is inviolable for the people. I expect that strong and effective measures that the public can accept, including a special investigation or a national inquiry, will be taken promptly."
However, he added that he would respond strictly to conspiracy theories regarding fraudulent elections.
A constitutional complaint has also been filed, claiming that the mismanagement of ballots by the Election Commission violated voting rights.
On June 5, two constitutional complaints were submitted to the Constitutional Court, asserting that the ballot shortage infringed upon voting rights.
Both complaints were filed by ordinary citizens, who argue that the Election Commission failed to prepare a sufficient number of ballots, thereby violating their voting rights.
Meanwhile, protests demanding a re-election have continued for three days, condemning the ballot shortage.
On this day, citizens gathered near the handball stadium in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, to demand a re-election. Participants shouted slogans calling for a re-election near the entrance of the ballot counting center.
This protest is reportedly being conducted spontaneously without a designated organizing group. Participants held placards demanding a re-election and waved national flags. Some citizens have been seen staying overnight since the previous day.
Although the number of participants, which unofficial police estimates had reached tens of thousands the previous afternoon, decreased overnight, citizens continued to arrive throughout the day.
The protesters had previously blocked the movement of Election Commission staff and some reporters inside the counting center, opposing the opening of ballot boxes. It was reported that the staff inside left the venue early in the morning. Currently, police have set up barricades around the entrance of the counting center to control access.
The protests began after some voters were unable to cast their votes due to a shortage of ballots at the Second Polling Station in Jamsil 7-dong on the main voting day, June 3. Citizens gathered at the site to protest, blocking the removal of ballot boxes, and after two days of standoff, police transported the ballot boxes on the morning of June 5.
Following this, the protesters moved to the handball stadium in Olympic Park, where they continue to demand a re-election.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.