Jo Hyun-wook, Chairman of the 'Fact-Finding Committee on the Ballot Shortage Incident,' is interviewed by Yonhap News reporters at the Legal Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. [Yonhap News] 

An interview with Jo Hyun-wook, Chairman of the Central Election Commission's Fact-Finding Committee, published on the 21st by , is expected to further strengthen the agenda of 'eradicating election fraud' by revealing the limitations of 'managed fact-finding' within the established system. 

While seemingly attached a strong headline, "Ballot Shortage, a Dark Chapter in Constitutional History... Legislation for Election Commission Audits," criticism is rampant that the committee's activities will remain a 'storm in a teacup' within the system, as concerns about a significant discrepancy between Chairman Jo's perceived stance in the actual interview and the views of patriotic citizens trying to defend the ballot boxes at the Jamsil Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium have materialized. 

Simply put, there are questions about what has been achieved in the committee's 10 days of activity leading up to the 19th. Even if this issue were to be examined in the distant future, would the final conclusion of the Fact-Finding Committee, stating that the ballot shortage incident was a total failure, and merely recommending an investigation into the Chairman of the National Election Commission, Noh Tae-ak, for this failure, be sufficient? It is a pointed critique that the superficial judgment of defining a crime as a failure may have obscured the perpetrators behind it. 

Specifically, the significant gap between Chairman Jo's perception and that of the general conservative public regarding the abolition of early voting and the dissolution of the Election Commission, coupled with his opinion that election fraud theories are a "major societal problem," is likely to further empower public opinion that a nationwide exercise of the right to resist is inevitable for eradicating election fraud at a more fundamental level. 

Concerns are underlying that reforms attempted by those in power inevitably lead to dire conclusions, excluding unfavorable content. In essence, it is pointed out that appointing someone who might be considered a 'conspiracy theorist' for still claiming there is no election fraud as the chairman of the fact-finding committee was a ploy, a 'framing' intended to outwardly channel the public's anger while internally leading to a predetermined conclusion. 

This is precisely the same way past left-leaning governments have drawn conclusions, such as a 5.18 merit awardee heading a fact-finding committee and concluding that there are no 'fake 5.18 merit awardees.' 

From its inception, there were widespread concerns that the Fact-Finding Committee would not reach a predetermined conclusion. This was due to the strong possibility that the conclusion would be one of downplaying the issue, similar to how judges, connected to the legal cartel, have repeatedly issued rulings dismissing clear evidence of election fraud. It was also based on the principle that one cannot entrust the core role of national science to someone who claims that it is possible for a coin tossed 10,000 times to land on heads every time, and that such an event can occur frequently. 

However, Chairman Jo, appointed upon the recommendation of the Korean Bar Association, led the Fact-Finding Committee for 10 days until the 19th. While some members of the public briefly held out hope for the committee's activities, it is pointed out that managed reforms have only been exploited to downplay the issue and have ultimately brought about frustration, making the public acutely aware once again that fundamental change cannot be achieved. 

The Lee Administration Appoints a 'Conspiracy Theorist Who Claims No Election Fraud' as Head of the Fact-Finding Committee 

With this interview, there are laments that it was unrealistic from the outset to expect a committee headed by someone who doesn't even grasp the concept of election fraud to properly investigate the severity of the problem. 

Some attribute the fundamental problem in Chairman Jo's perception to his statement about 'dissolving the Election Commission.' While the words sound plausible, the conclusion can differ significantly based on the absence of an alternative if it were actually dissolved. 

Patriotic citizens who have been campaigning to 'eradicate election fraud' view the reform to the extent of dissolution of the Election Commission and the actual dissolution as diverging in two main aspects. 

First, the statement that there is no alternative if the Election Commission is dissolved is pointed out as reflecting Chairman Jo's lack of learning regarding the innovative proposals that have been made: to divide the election management system into a minimum necessary unit of civil servants and conduct elections through 'manual counting,' similar to foreign cases like Taiwan, rather than relying on the monolithic Election Commission with its 3,000 incompetent and dishonest employees. It is a poignant criticism that he does not even recognize the severity of the situation, despite the fact that the current situation has resulted from intellectuals and opinion leaders ignoring the problem with their dismal perception that 'election fraud theories are a major problem.' How can one prescribe a cure without understanding the cause? It is argued that with even a little attention, one can learn that there are numerous clever solutions for restoring election justice after dissolving the Election Commission. 

Second, unlike reforming the Election Commission to the extent of dissolution, if it is actually dissolved, issues of accountability inevitably arise. It is pointed out that some must bring the human responsibility to the forefront for the supernatural phenomena, both online and offline, that cannot possibly occur statistically, scientifically, or physically without human intervention, which have emerged along with clear evidence, not just the simplistic failure theory claimed by conspiracy theorists who assert there is no election fraud. This, in turn, would lead to investigations into those behind the scenes and punishment of those responsible. It is a point of common sense that if someone tampered with election results, it is a matter that should be severely punished, not something that should be settled with disciplinary action, reprimands, warnings, or promises of recurrence prevention. 

Naver comments on the Yonhap News article. [Capture] 

Netizens: "Framing to downplay the act of undermining democracy, the ballot shortage" 

Therefore, it is sharply pointed out that Chairman Jo Hyun-wook's interview statement, which mentions 'dissolution level reform' but implies no alternative if actually dissolved, was not only significantly insufficient from the outset to correct the dire reality of depriving citizens of their right to participate but also reaffirmed the prior perception that the Fact-Finding Committee's actions could only serve as a fire brigade, pre-emptively extinguishing the flames within the government's intentionally confined fishing ground, like a storm in a teacup. 

In the Naver comments section of the article, sharp criticisms that already perceived the Fact-Finding Committee's activities as a ploy began pouring in, with over 100 comments posted within just two hours of the article's publication. 

User re*** criticized, "I've seen the framing to downplay illegal acts that undermine democracy as a ballot shortage. If the fairness of an election is undermined, it's election fraud, and the election is invalid." m** sharply stated, "Legislation for audits?? Turning a blind eye to the past?? Dissolution is the answer..." and in*** lamented, "This is election fraud, committed for at least 10 years, and don't try to escape with strange excuses." 

There is also criticism of Chairman Jo Hyun-wook's baseless perception that 'election fraud theories are a major problem.' Netizen ho** lamented the reality of ignoring the core issue, stating, "Isn't the election fraud theory a very simple problem to solve... If they just do a manual count in 3-4 areas designated by the claimants... they don't do it even though the country is noisy..." 

Netizen hi** emphasized the urgent need for a special prosecutor, stating, "Instead of a self-investigation, accept a special prosecutor. They conduct all sorts of special investigations, so why not for a dark chapter in constitutional history? If the Democratic Party is not an accomplice, they should immediately conduct a special investigation." 

In response, publishes the full text of Chairman Jo Hyun-wook's interview with below for the readers' judgment, with a prior notice that 's report differs from 's editorial stance. 

Below is the full report from . 

[Interview] Chairman of Fact-Finding Committee: "Ballot Shortage, a Dark Chapter in Constitutional History... Legislation for Election Commission Audits"

"It's unacceptable for the Election Commission Chairman and standing members to say 'We didn't know'... Reform to the level of dissolution is necessary"

Jo Hyun-wook on claims of election fraud by some: "A state of psychological civil war distorting even legitimate facts"

Jo Hyun-wook, Chairman of the Central Election Commission's Fact-Finding Committee, criticized the ballot shortage incident in the June 3rd local elections as "an event that will remain a dark chapter in constitutional history." 

In an interview with Yonhap News conducted after briefing the results of the Fact-Finding Committee's activities on the 19th, Chairman Jo stated, "The Election Commission Chairman is one of the five heads of state, and standing members are of ministerial rank. It's unacceptable for these individuals to say, 'We didn't know'," he said. 

He advised, "The situation was far more serious than anticipated," adding, "Problems arose because the Election Commission is outside the scope of external oversight. The Election Commission should be included within the scope of the Board of Audit and Inspection's performance audits." 

He also diagnosed the resurgence of election fraud theories ignited by this incident as a "state of psychological civil war where legitimate facts are distorted due to excessive social distrust," and urged the National Assembly, which has taken over the baton, to "not use this incident as a tool for political strife, but to create an opportunity for society to move forward." 

Chairman Jo, who previously served as the president of the Korean National Association of Women Lawyers, led the Fact-Finding Committee, which was independently formed and operated by the Election Commission. He was appointed upon the recommendation of the Korean Bar Association (KBA) and led the committee's activities for 10 days until the 19th. 

The following is a Q&A with Chairman Jo. 

-- What was the most significant aspect you focused on during the 10-day investigation period?

▲ First and foremost, we focused on fact-checking. We concentrated on identifying the breakdown in the command structure, absence of reporting systems, and complacent awareness of the situation revealed in the materials from the Songpa District Election Commission's group chat and the ballot tallies recorded at polling stations. We did our best to confirm facts and verify information by going through each and every detail of the ballot tallies, noting any specific circumstances at each polling station. 

-- How would you summarize this incident in one sentence?

▲ It is an event that will be recorded as a dark chapter in constitutional history. There can be no ruling or opposition parties, nor progressives or conservatives in this matter. Something that should not have happened, happened. 

-- Was the problem more serious than expected?

▲ It was much more serious. The Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission was aware of the ballot shortage but did not report it to the National Election Commission at all. In the end, ballots were borrowed from nearby polling stations, and voting slips were distributed to waiting voters, but ultimately, 12 people were unable to exercise their right to vote. Amidst this, Election Commission officials were not present at the polling stations, and local government officials were harassed by complainants asking 'What is this?', leading to a comprehensive set of problems. However, no disciplinary recommendations were made for the lower-ranking employees present at the scene. Only the executives responsible for this incident were recommended for investigation or disciplinary action. 

-- The moral hazard and lax/inadequate operation of the Election Commission also came under scrutiny. 

▲ I believe the problems arose because the Election Commission is outside the scope of external oversight. Therefore, the Election Commission should be included within the scope of the Board of Audit and Inspection's performance audits. While there is an audit committee composed of external auditors and external personnel, it has not been legislated, so we have also proposed the need for legislation. The Chairman of the National Election Commission is one of the five heads of state, and standing members are of ministerial rank. It's unacceptable for these individuals to say, 'We didn't know.' 

Jo Hyun-wook, Chairman of the 'Fact-Finding Committee on the Ballot Shortage Incident,' is interviewed by Yonhap News reporters at the Legal Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 19th. [Yonhap News] 

-- There were also reports of an increase in staff on leave ahead of national elections. 

▲ Our investigation revealed that approximately 6% of the Election Commission's total staff of about 3,000 employees have taken leave this year. While it is difficult for all Election Commission employees to manage all polling stations, 180 of them are absent. However, the proportion of leave-takers in the Election Commission is not significantly higher compared to other administrative agencies. 

-- There are calls from some to abolish the early voting system. 

▲ Abolishing the early voting system could greatly simplify the election management process. However, it is implemented solely to expand citizens' right to participate, despite being an inconvenient and difficult procedure. Narrowing the time gap between early voting and the main voting could be an alternative. Conducting the main voting over two days would require designating two public holidays, which is not desirable. However, it is appropriate to reach a consensus through public deliberation as proposed. 

-- There are also calls for the dissolution of the Election Commission. 

▲ I used the expression 'reform to the level of dissolution' with the intention of a major innovation of the Election Commission. If the Election Commission is actually dissolved, what alternatives are there? Which agency can take over election management? Placing it under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety or as an administrative agency could lead to greater controversies regarding the infringement of independence. 

-- The issue of election fraud has resurfaced due to this incident. 

▲ I consider it a major problem in our society. I feel that we are in a state of psychological civil war where legitimate facts are distorted due to excessive social distrust, leading to blind distrust. 

-- A parliamentary investigation is pending. What are your hopes for it?

▲ I hope that this incident will be dealt with based on the facts as they are, without being distorted for the benefit of each faction and used as a tool for political strife. Rather than tearing each other down and fighting based on factional logic, we should create an opportunity for the advancement of our society. 

-- Finally, is there anything you would like to add?

▲ The Election Commission will have nothing to say even if they had ten mouths regarding this incident. The Election Commission also needs to humbly accept the calls for reform.