Democratic Party joins People Power Party in calling for probe of election management failures

Han Byung-do, co-chair of the Democratic Party of Korea's joint standing campaign committee, speaks at a floor policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday. [Yonhap]
Han Byung-do, co-chair of the Democratic Party of Korea's joint standing campaign committee, speaks at a floor policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly on Thursday. [Yonhap]

A parliamentary investigation into an unprecedented ballot shortage that marred the June 3 local elections appears increasingly likely, with both the ruling and opposition parties signaling support for the move.

The People Power Party had already called for a parliamentary investigation, and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea announced Thursday it would pursue one as well, setting the stage for formal Assembly-level discussions on the matter.

Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do told reporters at the National Assembly on Thursday that the incident was "truly baffling and impossible to accept," and said the party would push for a parliamentary investigation.

Han said the party intended to "thoroughly examine the circumstances and identify any fundamental problems within the National Election Commission," adding that it would also pursue sweeping reforms to help the commission "regain the public's trust."

The People Power Party has also stressed the need for a parliamentary investigation to establish the facts. Some within the party have gone further, calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor.

Song Eon-seog, who stepped down as the People Power Party's floor leader on Thursday, had proposed an emergency parliamentary investigation at a party caucus on Wednesday, saying "a sweeping audit and reform of the election commission's overall operations is unavoidable."

Once the People Power Party forms a new floor leadership, the two parties are expected to begin consultations on the scope and format of the investigation.

Han said that if the parties had no major disagreements, the investigation could move forward "quickly, in whatever form and by whatever means."

However, he effectively drew a line against appointing a special prosecutor, saying a parliamentary investigation would be "sufficient to establish the facts."

The controversy stems from the June 3 local elections, when ballot shortages at polling stations in Seoul's Gangnam-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Songpa-gu and other districts left voters waiting in line, fueling public criticism over the election commission's management failures.


mokiya@heraldcorp.com