Parties Fail to Reach Agreement on Schedule for June 3 Ballot Recount

Rival parties engaged in a heated debate on the 14th regarding the schedule for a public recount of ballots from the Jamsil Olympic Park polling station to investigate the truth behind the June 3 local elections ballot shortage, but ultimately failed to find common ground. Yoon Sang-hyun, the People Power Party chairman of the special parliamentary committee, stated during the meeting that discussions on the public recount of 2.47 million ballots stored in the basement of the Songpa Handball Stadium must be concluded to resolve public doubts. The Democratic Party argued for the immediate pursuit of an independent recount to produce results before the investigation deadline of August 1, while the People Power Party countered that the recount should take place only after the independent counsel's investigative procedures, such as court evidence presentation, are completed.

Former Songpa District Election Commission Director-General Jo Si-hoon and Acting National Election Commission Chairman Wi Cheol-hwan attended the hearing and answered questions from lawmakers. Acting Chairman Wi expressed the view that the suspicions regarding the irregular contracts involving former NEC officials were unfounded and pledged to prevent recurrence.

The National Election Commission stated that if the National Assembly decides to do so, it is willing to comply with a public verification of ballots from areas with 'twin vote counts', such as Incheon's Yeonsu District.