Heo Cheol-hoon, secretary general of the National Election Commission, issues a public apology after a shortage of ballot papers prompted the temporary suspension of voting in the local elections at some polling stations in southern Seoul, South Korea, 03 June 2026. South Koreans voted on 03 June to elect mayors, governors, local council members and regional education chiefs in nationwide local elections. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
June 5 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's election chief said Friday he will resign to take responsibility for ballot shortages that disrupted voting during the June 3 local elections.
Roh Tae-ak, chairman of the National Election Commission, made the announcement during a public apology at the commission's headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. NEC Secretary-General Huh Chul-hoon also offered to resign.
"The high public interest in local autonomy and the active expression of the people's will through voting were damaged by the ballot shortage," Roh said. "As chairman of the National Election Commission, I feel devastated and bear unlimited responsibility for the situation, which has damaged public trust in election management and led to distrust in the election process."
