The Democratic Party's Second Protest Visit to the Election Commission... Opposition Condemns "Attempt to Seize Control" (Comprehensive)

Democratic Party Criticizes "Shaking the Election Commission Ahead of General Election"
People Power Party Urges All Election Commissioners to Resign

The Democratic Party of Korea condemned the People Power Party's second protest visit to the Central Election Commission on the 7th, calling it an "attempt to seize control of the Election Commission using the Board of Audit and Inspection" and demanded that they "stop immediately."

Democratic Party lawmakers from the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office that afternoon, criticizing, "With only 10 months left until the general election, the ruling party's repeated visits to the Election Commission to exert pressure are politically motivated acts that undermine the neutrality of the Election Commission."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Gyo-heung, the opposition party's secretary, pointed out, "The People Power Party is obsessed with demonizing the Election Commission and shaking Chairman No Tae-ak of the Election Commission," adding, "It is deeply concerning whether they are trying to seize control of the Election Commission, the last bastion of democracy, following the police and the Board of Audit and Inspection."

Kim explained, "Chairman No Tae-ak, who took office on May 17, 2022, still has five years left in his term," and "The recent issue regarding the hiring of his children occurred before Chairman No's term." He further noted, "The reason for demanding the resignation of all Election Commissioners and shaking the chairman before he even took office is because the appointment rights for the vacant positions of Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General of the Election Commission belong to the chairman."

He continued, "Shaking the chairman to install a Secretary-General who suits their tastes is clearly a political move ahead of the 22nd general election," and emphasized, "The Board of Audit and Inspection under Yoo Byung-ho, which has become a regime's shock troop, is intimidating the Election Commission by threatening 'referral to prosecution if inspection duties are not complied with.' Investigations of the Election Commission should not be conducted by the Board of Audit and Inspection, which lacks authority, but should be strictly carried out through a National Assembly investigation to maintain political neutrality."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

That morning, People Power Party members of the Public Administration and Security Committee visited the Election Commission in protest over allegations of preferential hiring of executives' children, repeatedly urging acceptance of the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit and the resignation of all Election Commissioners.

Lee Man-hee, the ruling party's secretary of the committee, said in a briefing after a closed-door meeting, "We demanded acceptance of the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit regarding security issues and allegations of preferential hiring of children," adding, "Our party believes that an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection is appropriate to grasp the overall situation."

They also pressured Chairman No to resign voluntarily. Lee explained, "Have you seen the public opinion polls about Chairman No? Over 70% of the public believe the chairman's conduct is improper and recognize that he is responsible for the current situation, agreeing with his resignation."

Park Sung-min, a People Power Party lawmaker who accompanied the visit, criticized the Election Commission, saying, "Just because it is a constitutional institution does not mean it is above the people," and added, "The more a constitutional and independent institution is, the more truthful and honest it must be before the people. Refusing an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection despite problems only exacerbates the issues."

Kim Yong-pan, a lawmaker from the same party, pointed out the practice of electing the chairman of the Election Commission. Kim said, "The Election Commission needs a complete overhaul," and questioned, "Is it appropriate for a Supreme Court justice to serve as a non-standing chairman of the Election Commission, and is it suitable for maintaining the neutrality of the Election Commission?" He added, "Although it is an independent institution, having a Supreme Court justice as chairman makes it subordinate to the judiciary."

In response, Kim Pil-gon, a standing member of the Election Commission, said, "I deeply apologize as a standing member for repeatedly causing you difficult visits." However, he emphasized, "While it is right to use all means to identify causes and hold people accountable, and to thoroughly resolve public suspicions to become a true national institution again, I am only one of nine standing members, so there are limits to providing responsible answers representing or on behalf of the commission."

Meanwhile, it is known that the Election Commission is considering the acceptance of the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit at the committee level. After meeting with the commissioners, Lee told reporters, "(Commissioner Kim) said the committee is considering accepting the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit and that he would convey the lawmakers' demands to the committee."