President Lee Addresses Election Paper Shortage at Meeting with Key Officials

President Lee Jae-myung addressed the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, stating, "Regardless of the number, the failure to guarantee the exercise of voting rights and adequate realization of citizen sovereignty is a very serious issue that leaves us speechless."

The president made these remarks during a meeting with key officials at the Blue House.

Attendees included National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Constitutional Court Chief Kim Sang-hwan, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, who gathered to discuss comprehensive reforms in election management.

President Lee noted, "I understand everyone is busy with their duties, but I felt it was necessary to convene this meeting given the current situation is not something we can overlook."

He emphasized that the Election Commission is an independent body as defined by the constitution, stating, "No one can officially comment on its operations, and even if mistakes occur, the current interpretation of the constitution makes it difficult to verify what is happening."

However, he stressed, "We cannot ignore this situation," adding that elections are central to the constitutional order and the realization of citizen sovereignty.

The president expressed a desire for the independent constitutional leaders present to engage in official discussions on how to address the issue, stating, "While we may not find clear solutions today, it is essential to clarify the facts surrounding this matter."

He further noted, "In some form, there must be accountability from the perspective of the citizens, and we should also discuss possible alternatives and measures."

Constitutional Court Chief Kim Sang-hwan remarked that the unprecedented ballot shortage during the June 3 elections has damaged public trust and pride in South Korea's democracy and electoral system.

He stated, "Despite facing numerous challenges, South Korea's democracy has traditionally advanced step by step through the wisdom of our people and a firm commitment to constitutional values. Although we have encountered unexpected difficulties and setbacks, we have always learned from them to create a more mature and stable democracy."

Kim added, "Therefore, we must use this incident as a painful lesson to thoroughly investigate the facts, legally assess the situation, and critically examine and improve our electoral system and its operations, hoping to advance toward a democracy that all citizens can firmly trust."

Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae asserted, "There is no room for debate that the voting rights of citizens, as sovereigns, must never be violated," expressing deep regret over the fact that some citizens were unable to exercise their precious voting rights due to the ballot shortage in the recent local elections.

He also addressed the judiciary's role in preventing such occurrences in the future, stating, "We must work on institutional improvements to ensure this does not happen again, and the judiciary will do its utmost to uphold the fairness of elections and protect citizens' rights through its constitutionally mandated role."

Lee Gyu-yeon, the Blue House spokesperson, stated during a briefing at the press center that the attendees unanimously agreed on the need for a thorough investigation into the matter and the establishment of preventive measures. He added, "Depending on the results of investigations or national inquiries, we will hold those responsible accountable and develop comprehensive reforms in election management to restore public trust."