Citizens are confronting police in front of the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 5th, protesting the removal of ballot boxes. [Photo=Yonhap News]

The Civic History Forum's Korean Modern and Contemporary History Research Association views the ballot paper shortage that occurred during the 6·3 election process with grave concern.

History shows that democracy crumbles not because of election results, but when trust in the election itself erodes. The public can accept defeat. However, if the election itself cannot be trusted, the foundation of democracy is shaken along with it.

The Republic of Korea is a nation that has already experienced this lesson through the March 15th fraudulent election and the April 19th Revolution.

We view this situation not as a problem of a specific political faction, but as an issue of trust in liberal democracy. Whether the suspicions are true or not will be revealed through thorough investigation. However, if the public is raising questions, state institutions have an obligation to provide sincere explanations.

Election management bodies exist not by power, but by trust.

We urge the election management authorities to transparently disclose the relevant circumstances and conduct an investigation to uncover the truth that the public can accept.

History does not long remember the winners of elections. However, it remembers for a long time nations that have lost trust.

June 5, 2026

Civic History Forum Korean Modern and Contemporary History Research Association