Former National Election Commission Chairperson Noh Tae-ak apologizing to the public during the preferential hiring scandal in May 2023 [Yonhap News file photo]

It has been revealed that while the National Election Commission (NEC) disciplined 15 individuals following an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) regarding past preferential hiring controversies, half of those received only light disciplinary actions, such as reprimands.

According to data submitted by the NEC to Representative Joo Jin-woo of the People Power Party—a member of the National Assembly's Special Committee for the State Investigation into the 6.3 local election ballot shortage—the NEC underwent a special audit by the BAI over allegations of so-called preferential hiring.

The preferential hiring scandal, which erupted in 2023, involved allegations that children of senior officials, including former and incumbent secretaries-general of the NEC, were hired through preferential treatment. At the time, it caused significant social outcry, with further allegations of "dad-chance" privileges being raised regarding their subsequent promotions.

Following the audit, in April 2025, the NEC revoked the appointments of eight individuals and disciplined 15 others.

Of the 15 disciplined, five received heavy penalties, such as suspension for two to three months, and three received salary reductions for one to three months; however, seven others received only a reprimand, which is considered a light disciplinary action.

Representative Joo argued that even though former NEC Chairperson Noh Tae-ak issued a public apology at the time, the actual level of internal punishment was merely a "slap on the wrist."

Representative Joo stated, "Despite the preferential hiring scandal that drew national public outrage, the maximum penalty was limited to a three-month suspension, and a significant number received only salary reductions or reprimands," adding, "As the NEC has completely lost its capacity for self-correction by protecting its own to an unacceptable degree, a special prosecutor's investigation (into the ballot shortage incident) is inevitable."