The rival parties dealing with the aftermath of the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections have raised the likelihood of pursuing a special counsel investigation. Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), claimed that "a special counsel takes priority over a parliamentary investigation" and that "Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, agreed to a special counsel." The Democratic Party again brought out the "constitutional amendment" card to pressure the PPP.
Jang said he met Jung ahead of a press conference Sunday. "Chairman Jung said, 'Accept the special counsel,' so I said, 'What do you mean? We have been the ones calling for a special counsel.' I will take this as the Democratic Party's position that it, too, will accept a special counsel over the ballot shortage," Jang said. In response, Cho Seung-rae, secretary-general of the Democratic Party, said, "It can only be discussed once the National Assembly's second-half organization is set," but added, "Since we have officially stated that we will do everything necessary, whether a parliamentary investigation or a special counsel, this is nothing new."
Earlier, Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said, "If necessary, a special counsel should be carried out," and with such expressions of support for the need emerging across both the government and ruling party, the discussion of a special counsel is expected to gain momentum. Democratic Party Rep. Baek Hye-ryun and PPP Rep. Kim Eun-hye each introduced special counsel bills Sunday to investigate the truth behind the ballot shortage.
A parliamentary investigation is also gaining speed. The Democratic Party's floor leadership, including senior deputy floor leader Chun Joon-ho, submitted a request for a parliamentary investigation into the ballot shortage to the National Assembly's bill division Sunday. The PPP's floor leadership likewise submitted a request for a parliamentary investigation.
The specific period and scope of the investigation are expected to be coordinated through negotiations between the rival parties after the PPP elects its floor leader, scheduled for Tuesday. The chairmanship of the special committee is usually held by the rival parties in turn, and this time it is the PPP's turn. If the parties reach agreement, a plan for the parliamentary investigation is expected to be adopted at the next plenary session.
The Democratic Party reiterated its position that a constitutional amendment is needed to legislate reform of the election commission. Cho said, "A constitutional amendment is needed for fundamental reform of the National Election Commission," urging participation in discussions on the amendment by saying, "If the cause is diagnosed that way, there is no reason for the PPP to refuse either." He also argued, "We should pursue a two-track approach, with a special counsel and parliamentary investigation to identify the cause, alongside improvements to the election management system, including the commission's powers and roles."
Meanwhile, the National Election Commission reported to the Reform Party that the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections occurred at a total of 50 polling stations, of which 22 saw actual voters wait before casting their ballots. Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, held a press conference Sunday to announce this and called for "selective re-elections" in some constituencies where voters had to wait. To this end, the party plans to file an "appeal for partial invalidation of the Seoul-area election due to the ballot shortage."
