Han Byung-do, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, said Wednesday he would submit a request for a parliamentary investigation into the ballot paper shortages that occurred in some areas during the June 3 local elections. "Tomorrow (the 8th), I will file a request for a parliamentary investigation with the National Assembly," he said, adding, "If necessary, we will also consider a special counsel."
Speaking at a press briefing at the National Assembly that day, Han said: "The ballot paper shortage is a situation that should never occur in a democratic country. It is a disastrous matter, and it cannot be dismissed as a simple case of negligence or an administrative error." He stressed, "I will cut out the diseased tissue and rebuild from the start," adding, "This is not something that will end with the resignation of the National Election Commission chairman and secretary general. We must uncover the truth about why this happened, whether there were structural loopholes in the internal system, and make improvements."
Regarding the composition of the investigation, Han said, "Lawmakers who were mainly active in the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee in the first half of the term will participate," adding, "We will ensure it does not end as a formal investigation but conducts a substantive fact-finding probe." The lawmakers Han mentioned as expected participants in the investigation include Yoon Kun-young, Lee Hae-sik, Kim Sung-hoe, Mo Kyoung-jong, Lim Mi-ae, Yang Bu-nam, Lee Sang-sik, Lee Kwang-hee, and Chae Hyun-il.
He added that the party would establish an electoral system reform task force (TF) and conduct a full review of amendments to related laws, including the Public Official Election Act and the National Election Commission Act. "At the same time, we will review every possible method. We will also leave open the issue of a special counsel that the opposition is demanding," he said.
He even raised the possibility of constitutional reform. "As long as the Constitution stipulates the National Election Commission as an independent body, amending laws such as the Board of Audit and Inspection Act alone cannot avoid controversy over constitutionality," he said. "I recognize this as a grave situation in which, if amendments to related laws are needed at this opportunity, we must also consider constitutional reform together."
Han also urged dialogue from the People Power Party (PPP). "If they are sincere about the parliamentary investigation, the responsible attitude of a public party is not for its leadership to go to the rally demanding a re-election at Olympic Park and incite a 'march to the Presidential Office,' but to sit down with the Democratic Party at the National Assembly and pursue the investigation and institutional improvements," he said.
Ahead of Han, the PPP had expressed its intention to submit a request for a parliamentary investigation as a party position on the same day. As the leadership of both parties has shown a willingness to pursue the investigation, there is expected to be no disagreement over holding the probe itself. Instead, negotiations between the rival parties are expected to unfold over the scope and method of the investigation.
On calls for re-elections in the affected constituencies coming not only from the PPP but also from some within his own party, Han responded cautiously, "I understand such talk is emerging, and the PPP also says it will file a lawsuit. We must watch for a swift decision by the court in accordance with law and principle." Asked about plans to visit Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where citizens are staging protest rallies, he replied, "At present, I do not have such plans."
