Yoon Sang-hyun, Chairman of the Special Committee on the State Investigation [Photo: Yonhap News]

The National Election Commission (NEC), having lost public trust due to the ballot paper shortage during the June 3 local elections, is facing controversy after it was revealed that it drafted an internal document aimed at keeping all its commissioners, including acting chairman Wi Chul-hwan, in their positions. 

On the 3rd, the People Power Party (PPP) strongly demanded the immediate resignation of acting chairman Wi and the introduction of a special counsel, stating, "Instead of reflection and reform, they are only focused on a 'bulletproof' strategy to protect themselves."

Internal Document Calling for 'Retention of All Commissioners' Discovered... Organized Response Task Force Operating

According to documents secured by the office of Rep. Kim Eun-hye of the PPP, the NEC drafted an internal document titled "Review of the Resignation of All Commissioners" on the 29th of last month, two days before the National Assembly's special investigation committee hearing.

In the document, the NEC concluded that it would be "desirable" for all commissioners to remain in office and determine accountability based on the results of future investigations, arguing that "since all commissioners and staff are already under investigation, the situation remains the same regardless of who takes on the role of acting chairman."

It was also confirmed that the NEC has been operating a task force (TF) consisting of 16 people across three teams since the 10th of last month to monitor investigative trends and handle responses to the National Assembly and the media.

Meanwhile, acting chairman Wi Chul-hwan is flatly refusing the repeated demands for resignation from the ruling party. When asked about his resignation while attending the National Assembly's special investigation committee plenary session on the 1st, Wi replied, "Under the current circumstances, making such a decision would be even more irresponsible."

In a meeting on the 23rd of last month, he also maintained a firm stance, stating, "Resignation would collapse the NEC's approval chain and lead to an administrative vacuum."

PPP: "Reform at the Level of NEC Dissolution Required... Pushing for Impeachment and Special Counsel"

Concluding that the NEC has lost its capacity for self-correction, the PPP has escalated the pressure to the highest level, signaling its intent to move for an impeachment motion and the introduction of a special counsel recommended by the ruling party.

Choi Eun-seok, Chief Spokesperson for the PPP, stated in a commentary, "The first thing the NEC created was not a reform roadmap, but a 'bulletproof strategy' for the NEC. It is difficult to expect fundamental reform under the Wi Chul-hwan regime."

Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon also criticized them sharply, saying, "The NEC is already in a state of bankruptcy. What kind of reform can be expected when the leaders are holding onto their seats? Getting rid of Commissioner Wi immediately is the first step toward reform."

Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik argued, "They have been responding irresponsibly, as if they only need to endure a brief period of criticism. We must uncover the full truth through a special counsel that includes members recommended by the opposition party."

Rep. Na Kyung-won stated, "The NEC has misinterpreted the Constitution and become an organization that is neither monitored nor held in check. Reform at the level of dissolving the NEC is necessary."

Park Soo-min, a member of the special investigation committee, said, "Even the Democratic Party of Korea has abandoned its lenient attitude toward the NEC and agreed to a special counsel. The suspicions will only be clearly resolved if the special counsel is recommended by the People Power Party."

Distrust toward the NEC is spreading beyond political circles to civil society. The 'Free Korea Senior Citizens Association,' a conservative organization of elders, argued, "The NEC must be dissolved immediately, and a new election management organization must be reconstructed."

Meanwhile, the PPP has launched an online public petition calling for the appointment of a special counsel of their own choosing. The petition will run for one month, until the 1st of next month. 

As both ruling and opposition parties are determined to identify who is responsible for the ballot paper shortage, the status of the NEC commissioners, including the acting chairman, is expected to become the most volatile trigger in the political situation.