Election Commission Member Jo Hae-ju Submits Resignation Amid Term Controversy…Opposition Urges "Immediate Acceptance"

Controversy Over Neutrality in Appointment Due to Moon Camp Experience
People Power Party Calls Biased Election Commission Too Late
Blue House "Unlikely to Request (Reversal)"

Jo Hae-ju, Standing Commissioner of the National Election Commission Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Jieun Lee] Jo Haeju, a standing member of the Central Election Commission who had been embroiled in controversy over his term, reportedly submitted his resignation letter on the 21st. The People Power Party criticized President Moon Jae-in, saying he should immediately accept the resignation, calling it a case of too little, too late.

Jo's three-year term as a standing member expires on the 24th. Among the election commissioners, one serves as a standing member, and it has been customary for standing members to retire once their term expires, even if the remaining term as an election commissioner has not ended. Jo, who had worked in Moon Jae-in's campaign during the 19th presidential election and had faced neutrality controversies since his nomination as an election commissioner, expressed his intention to resign to President Moon in July last year and earlier this year, but both were rejected. If Jo continued to serve as an election commissioner, he could have worked an additional three years as a non-standing election commissioner.

In this regard, the People Power Party immediately demanded that the resignation be accepted. Jeon Juhye, spokesperson for the People Power Party's election countermeasures headquarters, said in a statement, "It is unprecedented and absolutely unacceptable for a standing member to not step down after the term expires and to switch to a non-standing member to maintain the position for another three years," adding, "A new standing member of the Central Election Commission should be appointed who is fair and neutral."

She continued, "The Democratic Party is completely blocking the election process for Moon Sangbu, the non-standing election commissioner candidate recommended by the People Power Party, and we strongly urge them to cooperate with the appointment process promptly," warning, "We hope they keep in mind that the president and the Democratic Party leading a biased composition of the election commission and preventing the appointment of non-standing commissioner candidates can only be seen as election interference."

Meanwhile, a senior Blue House official said, "He has personally expressed his intention to resign, and it seems difficult to request a reversal of that intention."