Ruling Party: "Accepting Half-Hearted Audit... Is the Election Commission Above the Constitution and Laws?"

The People Power Party condemned the Central Election Commission's decision on the 9th to undergo an Audit and Inspection by the Board of Audit and Inspection only regarding the 'special hiring privileges for children' allegations involving former and current executives as a "half-hearted decision," and once again urged full acceptance of the audit.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the 7th National Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, immediately after the Election Commission made the related decision, the People Power Party gathered at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall to hold a protest rally.

Representative Kim Ki-hyun said, "In broad daylight, unimaginable abuses such as 'Dad-chance,' 'Brother-chance,' workplace inheritance, and public office inheritance were committed, yet after a whole day of discussion, the result is accepting some and rejecting others," and criticized, "Is the Election Commission above the Constitution and the law?"

Regarding the Election Commission's announcement that it would file a constitutional dispute adjudication with the Constitutional Court concerning the scope of the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit, Representative Kim also pointed out, "The Constitutional Court has long since degenerated into a political court," and said, "Chairman No Tae-ak and the Election Commissioners, who are trying to extend their political lives by relying on such a place, are the very entrenched evils that must be eliminated as soon as possible."

He added, "Not to mention the resignation of all Election Commissioners, a full audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection must be conducted immediately," emphasizing, "If they refuse, they will be reported for violating the Board of Audit and Inspection Act."

Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok also criticized, "They should first admit their mistakes regarding the clear illegal suspicions and apologize profusely to the people, but the attitude shown by the Election Commission is nothing but disregard for the people, with no self-reflection or reform."

He continued, "The complete replacement of the Election Commission leadership and a full audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection are urgent matters to secure the neutrality of the Election Commission," urging, "They must keep in mind that further tricks and evasion of responsibility will only provoke greater public outrage and must undertake comprehensive reform."

Policy Committee Chairman Park Dae-chul also supported the criticism, saying, "The Election Commission ultimately threw away the last chance to protect its own honor," and added, "Only agreeing to an audit on hiring corruption is still arrogance and misjudgment that fails to read public sentiment, a challenge to the Constitution, and a betrayal of the people."

Senior Spokesperson Kang Min-guk stated in a commentary, "With less than a year left until next year's general election, restoring public trust in the Election Commission is urgent," and warned, "As the ruling party, we will not stand by and watch the Election Commission collapse."

Floor Spokesperson Jeon Ju-hye also urged in a commentary, "Immediately accept the Board of Audit and Inspection's audit not only on the hiring corruption suspicions but also on poor election management and the concealment of North Korean hacking suspicions," and called for, "The contradictory decision to file a constitutional dispute adjudication must be withdrawn."