South Korean Ballot Shortage Incident: Truth Commission Chairman States Vote Counting Should Not Begin Before Voting Ends

SEOUL, June 23 (CNA) -- The former chairman of the truth investigation committee for the South Korean local election ballot shortage incident, Cho Hyun-wook, stated today that it was a regrettable decision to begin vote counting before voting had concluded, estimating that over 30 people were unable to complete their ballots as a result.

The truth investigation committee operated from June 10 to June 19 and consisted of six professionals, including lawyer Cho Hyun-wook (phonetic). According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho Hyun-wook stated in an interview with a KBS radio program today that it was fundamentally against the Public Official Election Act to begin vote counting before voting had completely ended on the day of the local elections.

On the day of the local elections, voting hours at polling station 7 in Jamsil 2-dong, Songpa District, were extended until 10 PM. However, the vote counting center in the jurisdiction announced the start of counting at 7:27 PM. In response, Cho Hyun-wook pointed out, "The two locations are not far apart; they are both within the jurisdiction of Songpa District. Anyone would know that counting should wait until voting is over. I believe this proves that communication and contact between them did not proceed smoothly."

Cho Hyun-wook emphasized that although vote counting usually begins in the order that ballot boxes arrive, even if not all have been delivered, this was a very special situation. The voting deadline was not postponed by 20 or 30 minutes, but extended to 10 PM. "Starting the count early was a regrettable decision."

Regarding the total number of voters who could not complete their ballots due to the shortage, Cho Hyun-wook stated that the truth investigation committee believes it was at least over 30 people, but less than 40. However, Cho Hyun-wook also mentioned, "Because the scene was quite chaotic at the time, there are doubts as to whether it was accurately recorded, but regardless, the relevant situation is recorded in the voting records."

In addition, acting chairman of the National Election Commission, Wi Chul-hwan, attended a special parliamentary inquiry committee today. When asked by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Eun-hye if he intended to resign to take responsibility for this incident, Wi Chul-hwan responded, "I believe that would be irresponsible."

Wi Chul-hwan emphasized that the election commission is currently in a state of near paralysis. After the resignation of the former chairman (Roh Tae-hak), the work of handling the aftermath is in a vacuum. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150623

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