Both parties open to special prosecutor probe

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do holds an emergency press briefing at the National Assembly on Sunday over the ballot shortage that emerged during the June 3 local elections. [Yonhap]
Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do holds an emergency press briefing at the National Assembly on Sunday over the ballot shortage that emerged during the June 3 local elections. [Yonhap]

The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to submit a parliamentary investigation request Monday over the National Election Commission's ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections.

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do held a press briefing at the National Assembly on Sunday and said the party would "submit the parliamentary investigation request Monday and ask the Assembly speaker to convene a plenary session as soon as possible." He added that lawmakers who served on the first-half House Administration and Security Committee — which oversaw the election commission — would be included in the investigation to ensure it is conducted with substance.

Once both parties file the request Monday, their floor leadership will enter negotiations over the duration, targets and scope of the investigation, as well as the composition of a special parliamentary investigation committee. If an agreement is reached, a parliamentary investigation plan is expected to be adopted at the next plenary session.

On the question of appointing a special prosecutor, the People Power Party has been pushing actively for one. PPP spokesperson Jo Yong-sul said the need for a special prosecutor led by the opposition was clear. The Democratic Party also left the door open, with floor leader Han saying the party would pursue one "if necessary."

The two parties diverged, however, on whether to hold by-elections. PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok, speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, called for a re-vote. He warned that public anger "burning like wildfire" could never be quelled if the situation were glossed over with a parliamentary investigation, buried under a special prosecutor handpicked by the ruling party, or resolved by replacing a handful of election commission staff.

Democratic Party floor leader Han said the PPP was already filing nullification lawsuits and that it was necessary to "wait for the court to reach a swift decision in accordance with the law and principles."


siuu@heraldcorp.com