Supreme Court Chief Justice Jo Hee-de accepted the resignation offered by National Election Commission Chairman Roh Tae-ak over the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, the chief justice's office indicated Wednesday.
According to the legal community, Jo revoked Roh's designation as a National Election Commission member Wednesday afternoon and notified the commission of the decision.
Roh offered his resignation on the 5th, two days after the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, at a press conference held at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon. "I deeply feel responsible for the entire situation," he said.
"I will faithfully comply with all procedures that examine the commission's responsibility, including a parliamentary investigation, and if there is anything I must take responsibility for based on the results, I will never evade it," Roh said.
The National Election Commission consists of nine members in total: three appointed by the president, three elected by the National Assembly, and three designated by the Supreme Court chief justice. By convention, the chairman of the commission has been a Supreme Court justice serving as a commission member.
Roh took office as chairman of the National Election Commission in May 2022, designated by former Chief Justice Kim Myeong-su.
Ahead of Roh's retirement as a Supreme Court justice in March this year, Jo named Supreme Court Justice Cheon Dae-yeop as his successor on the election commission.
Meanwhile, President Lee Jae-myung met with the leaders of the four branches of government Wednesday afternoon to discuss the ballot shortage, and they agreed to reform the election management system.
At the meeting, the participants shared the gravity of the situation regarding public concerns over the election management system, and they reportedly discussed a wide range of issues, including measures to prevent recurrence, the direction of institutional improvements, and ways to restore public trust.
