Police officials are seen moving to conduct a search at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province on the 11th, regarding the ballot shortage incident during the June 3rd local elections. [Yonhap News] Woo Cheol-hwan, acting chairman of the National Election Commission (NEC), stated on the 11th that regarding the ballot shortage incident at some polling stations in Songpa District, Seoul, during the June 3rd local elections, "When considering the entire Songpa District, there were approximately 42,000 ballots remaining."

In a statement released that day, Woo stated, "The failure to distribute ballots to each of the 146 polling stations within Songpa District was a regrettable mistake," and revealed this information.

Regarding the printing ratio of 50% for ballots for the main election, he explained, "This is a concept excluding the early voting rate of 23.3%, so the total ballot printing rate (including early voting) is 73.3%," and "The overall voter turnout in Songpa District was 65.8%."

Woo explained the background for deciding the lower limit of the main election ballot printing ratio at 50%, stating, "After the last election, the number of remaining ballots increased, leading to difficulties in inspection and storage of millions of ballots, as well as concerns about loss and theft." He added, "In particular, when an excessive number of ballots were printed, we faced accusations of election fraud."

He further added, "The NEC adjusted the lower limit of the main election ballot printing ratio to 50%, while allowing each of the 255 district/city/county election commissions to determine the ballot printing ratio based on regional circumstances and characteristics."

In addition, Woo bowed his head and said, "I once again sincerely apologize for the infringement of citizens' right to vote, and we will continue to respond with a grave recognition that even one person's right to vote must not be violated."

The NEC appealed to the participants who have been blocking the entrance of the Olympic Park Handball Stadium in Songpa District for a week and protesting the ballot shortage incident, asking them to allow the transfer of vote counting materials.

Kang Dong-wan, acting secretary-general of the NEC, stated that day, "We earnestly appeal to the citizens to allow the transfer of vote counting materials stored at the Songpa District vote counting center to the NEC," and added, "The transferred vote counting materials will be stored safely, and we will faithfully cooperate with the ongoing investigation and future parliamentary inquiry."

He emphasized, "The Handball Stadium is a cultural space for citizens where performances and sports events are frequently held," and "The Handball Stadium should be able to fulfill its original function."

Participants shout slogans at a press conference held by sports organizations in front of the Olympic Park Handball Stadium in Songpa District, Seoul, on the 11th, appealing for the normalization of operations, amidst the ongoing 'Jamsil vote counting center blockade' caused by the June 3rd local election ballot shortage incident. [Yonhap News]