Kukim "Impeachment Requirements Met" VS Minju "Election Commission Work Paralysis"... Growing Pressure for No Jeong-hee's Resignation

As the June 1 Local Elections Approach... Ongoing Party Disputes Surrounding the Election Commission
People Power Party: "Are They Trying to Infringe on Citizens' Voting Rights Again?"
Democratic Party: "An Act That Paralyzes the Election Commission's Work"

The People Power Party has called for the resignation of No Jeong-hee, Chairperson of the National Election Commission, who faced controversy over poor management of early voting for the presidential election. On the other hand, the Democratic Party criticized this resignation pressure as an act that paralyzes the work of the Election Commission.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Members of the People Power Party belonging to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee have called on No Jeong-hee, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, to "take responsibility for the poor management of the presidential election early voting and immediately resign voluntarily," warning that "if she refuses, we will push for an impeachment motion." In response, the Democratic Party criticized the resignation pressure as "an act that undermines political neutrality" and "a move that paralyzes the Election Commission's work."

On the 21st, People Power Party members of the Public Administration and Security Committee issued a statement criticizing, "The election management behavior of the Central Election Commission revealed during this presidential election process was truly at a disastrous level."

People Power Party lawmaker Seo Beom-su pressured, "Chairperson No must take responsibility for the failure in managing this presidential election and immediately step down." He pointed out that "the fundamental problem of the election management failure lies in the Election Commission's decision-making ultimately infringing on the people's suffrage rights and violating our Constitution and laws."

They plan to push for a parliamentary impeachment motion if Chairperson No does not resign. Lawmaker Seo explained, "Article 65, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea stipulates that the National Assembly may pass a resolution to impeach a Central Election Commissioner if they violate the Constitution or laws in the execution of their duties."

Seo continued, "The Central Election Commission decided and executed acts clearly violating the Constitution and current laws, such as proxy insertion of ballots during early voting and omission of official seals by early voting managers. Even looking at these cases alone, it is clear that the conditions for impeaching the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission are met," he emphasized.

Addressing Democratic Party lawmakers who opposed Chairperson No's resignation, they asked, "Why does the Democratic Party oppose the resignation of Chairperson No, who holds ultimate responsibility for the failure in managing this presidential election, and try to protect her until the end? Do you intend to infringe on the people's sacred suffrage rights again in the upcoming June local elections?"

Meanwhile, Democratic Party members of the Public Administration and Security Committee have criticized the resignation demands against Chairperson No as acts that undermine political neutrality. On the morning of the 19th, they issued a statement pointing out, "There are attempts to undermine the political neutrality of the Election Commission, shaking the entire Commission including the Chairperson's resignation."

They also expressed concerns that the Central Election Commission's work would be paralyzed ahead of the June 1 local elections. They pointed out, "Currently, two standing commissioner seats at the Central Election Commission are vacant, and demands for Chairperson No's resignation would paralyze the Commission's work. The six-member committee may be unable to convene or make decisions, causing significant disruptions in preparations for the local elections."

Furthermore, they urged the Central Election Commission to resolve the situation. They stressed, "The Central Election Commission must swiftly resolve the situation and reorganize its system. Those found responsible for the poor election management through cause investigation must be held accountable. Chairperson No must clearly identify the causes and responsibilities for the poor election management and promptly reorganize the Commission to ensure thorough preparations for the local elections."