1 of 2 | Rho Tae-ak (L), former head of the National Election Commission, responds to a lawmaker's question during the third plenary session of a parliamentary special committee to investigate an unprecedented shortage of ballots reported during the 03 June local elections and discuss institutional reforms for the election watchdog, at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, 01 July 2026. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
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.
