The Republic of Korea is currently outraged by an unprecedented situation in its history and a globally unparalleled reality of disenfranchisement. ⒸKorea-Japan DailyIs Lee Jae-myung the only one unaware of the gravity of the situation, or is he pretending not to know? In front of reporters, Lee Jae-myung laughed and compared the issue of insufficient ballots to a class reunion election. The mere comparison to a class reunion election shows how lightly he views this situation.

Is this something to be laughed about and compared jokingly? If there's a shortage of ballots for a class reunion president election, it's possible to simply make a few more on the spot and proceed with the vote without significant problems.

In a democratic country, the right to vote is a sacred right. How can it be compared to the election of a class reunion president? It's not something that can be subtly overlooked. It's not a matter to be treated with a joke.

While the issue of insufficient ballots is serious, the transparency concerns surrounding the June 3rd local elections appear to be at a severe level based on the announcements made so far.

They claim there are no significant issues because the numerous errors, such as miscalculations in the number of voters and input errors in vote counts, have not affected the election outcome? Is the National Election Commission (NEC) arguing that even if you drink contaminated water, as long as it's not fatal, a stomachache can be overlooked? When a totality of unacceptable flaws accumulates, isn't that what constitutes fraud?

The NEC has established its own fact-finding committee. They claim it will be composed entirely of external personnel to conduct a thorough investigation. This is laughable. If the NEC selects the external personnel and the investigation is based on materials provided by the NEC, yielding results after just 10 days of investigation, who would believe them?

There are said to be two types of repentance among burglars incarcerated for breaking into homes. One type resolves never to commit such a crime again. The other type reflects on the mistakes that led to their capture and resolves to break into the front door rather than climb over the wall next time.

The formation of the NEC's own fact-finding committee is not a reflection aimed at creating a transparent voting and counting system in the future. It's akin to the latter type of repentance – concluding that there were overall deficiencies and contemplating how to maintain the current system under the guise of efficiency. It's like thinking, "Why did we get caught again? Next time, we need to avoid getting caught."

Why are they insistent on pushing the current system by citing nonsensical reasons such as concerns about low voter turnout and congestion on election day, or delayed vote counting, when there is a simple solution of implementing "on-the-day vote counting" that all voters can accept?

Is it not a reasonable suspicion that they are clinging to this system because there are groups that benefit from it, and they are relying on the power of those groups to refuse to change it?

When holding student council elections in elementary schools, each class votes, and the ballots are counted on the spot, recorded clearly on the blackboard, and then the results are compiled and reported to the person in charge. This concludes the process.

However, if the ballot boxes from each class were moved to the teachers' lounge and kept for several days until absentee students voted, would anyone accept the results of such a count?

I understand that there is no country in the world where the system of voting anywhere in the country without prior registration exists. Why are they unwilling to change a system that is considered a breeding ground for fraud? I cannot understand it. I cannot understand why they insist on complicating matters and making elections untrustworthy.

Even if voter turnout might be somewhat lower, we must establish a system this time that everyone can accept. Taiwan, after implementing "on-the-day vote counting," reportedly has no voters, whether winners or losers, who dispute the results or raise objections.

There are whispers that some National Assembly members, who once advocated for the abolition of the NEC, are now hesitant to act out of fear that if the NEC remains intact, they might face decisive disadvantages in the next election.

I believe this incident of insufficient ballots is a divine opportunity given to us to establish a transparent voting and counting system. If we miss this chance, democracy in this country will end. It is time for all of us to rise up and shout, "New elections due to fraudulent elections, on-the-day vote counting!"

Standing by and watching the unprecedented situation of disenfranchisement, which is a first in Korean history and unparalleled globally, as if it were someone else's problem, is no different from abandoning our sovereignty and accepting the results determined by the NEC.

"Stand or Die" was the final operational order issued by General Walton Walker, commander of the U.S. Eighth Army, during the Battle of the Nakdong River Line in the Korean War.

We too must fight with the resolve to die to achieve the goals of dissolving the NEC, abolishing advance voting, and implementing manual vote counting, and to hold new elections.

With a heart-wrenching plea, I must encourage the young people who are going to the Jamsil Olympic Stadium today, risking everything to fight and set right the world they will live in.

◆ Dr. Kim Jae-soo

Doctor of Informatics. Former head of the Agency for Defense Development. Former distinguished professor at Kyonggi University. Former 5th and 6th president of the Republic of Korea ROTC Patriots' Association. Currently, co-representative of the National Movement to Abolish Privilege and chairman of the People's Foundation Lumina.