South Korean parties split over election special counsel

July 1 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's ruling and main opposition parties have agreed on the need for a special counsel investigation into ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections but remain divided over who should select the investigator.

The ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party both say an independent investigation is needed to determine how election officials ran out of ballots at multiple polling stations.

However, the parties have yet to agree on the scope of the investigation or the process for nominating the special counsel.

The People Power Party submitted its special counsel bill as a party initiative June 9, six days after the election.

Under the proposal, the president would appoint one of two candidates recommended by the People Power Party. The ruling Democratic Party would have no role in nominating the candidates.

The opposition party said giving it the nomination authority is necessary to ensure that the investigation remains independent of the government.

People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig said an investigation without political restrictions would require the appointment of a special counsel recommended by the opposition.

The Democratic Party announced Monday that it would also pursue a special counsel investigation as an official party position.

Acting party leader and floor leader Han Byung-do said the party would seek an investigation to identify the causes of the ballot shortages and hold those responsible accountable.

The ruling party has not announced a detailed nomination procedure but opposes allowing the main opposition party to exercise exclusive authority over the selection.

Some Democratic Party lawmakers have suggested allowing an independent institution outside the political parties to recommend candidates because the National Election Commission is a constitutionally independent body.

The parties also differ over the scope of the proposed investigation.

The People Power Party has sought a broad probe into the election commission's ballot preparation, distribution and storage procedures as well as the government's response to the shortages.

Democratic Party lawmakers have objected to attempts to expand the investigation to President Lee Jae-myung or the presidential office without clear evidence of their involvement.

The dispute means negotiations could continue despite the parties' agreement in principle on appointing a special counsel.

A separate National Assembly inquiry into the election failures is already underway.

Roh Tae-ak, the former chairman of the National Election Commission, and other election officials appeared before the parliamentary inquiry committee Wednesday.

The ballot shortages interrupted voting at polling places during South Korea's ninth nationwide local elections and prompted criticism of the election commission's preparation and management.

Both parties have called for changes aimed at preventing similar failures and restoring public confidence in the country's election system.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260702010000535

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This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 7:42 PM.