Interior Minister Yoon Ho-joong takes an oath during the National Assembly's special committee meeting on July 1 regarding the voting rights violation and ballot shortage in the 9th nationwide local elections. [Photo=Yonhap News]
Interior Minister Yoon Ho-joong apologized on July 1 for the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections.
Speaking at a full meeting of the National Assembly's special committee investigating the violation of voting rights and election management reform, Yoon stated, "I sincerely apologize to the youth and the public for the serious infringement of voting rights."
He acknowledged, "We believe it is our responsibility to normalize the abnormal situation so that democracy can grow healthily."
However, Yoon clarified that the Ministry of Interior and Safety is not the primary agency for elections but rather a supporting body, emphasizing that it cannot interfere in election management. He noted, "If the Ministry were to intervene in the replenishment and transportation of ballots, it could raise suspicions of fraudulent intent."
In response to a question from National Assembly member Yoon Sang-hyun, the committee chair, regarding whether the Ministry could express its willingness to assist if no support request was made by the election commission, Yoon replied, "Excessive intervention could lead to misunderstandings that it might influence the election."
Yoon also reflected on his earlier public statement made before the June 3 elections, where he promised to do everything possible to ensure that citizens could exercise their precious voting rights without worry. He described the violation of voting rights as a "painful moment."
Speaking at a full meeting of the National Assembly's special committee investigating the violation of voting rights and election management reform, Yoon stated, "I sincerely apologize to the youth and the public for the serious infringement of voting rights."
He acknowledged, "We believe it is our responsibility to normalize the abnormal situation so that democracy can grow healthily."
However, Yoon clarified that the Ministry of Interior and Safety is not the primary agency for elections but rather a supporting body, emphasizing that it cannot interfere in election management. He noted, "If the Ministry were to intervene in the replenishment and transportation of ballots, it could raise suspicions of fraudulent intent."
In response to a question from National Assembly member Yoon Sang-hyun, the committee chair, regarding whether the Ministry could express its willingness to assist if no support request was made by the election commission, Yoon replied, "Excessive intervention could lead to misunderstandings that it might influence the election."
Yoon also reflected on his earlier public statement made before the June 3 elections, where he promised to do everything possible to ensure that citizens could exercise their precious voting rights without worry. He described the violation of voting rights as a "painful moment."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.