Key facts
- President Lee Jae Myung stated South Korea's election management system requires a significant overhaul.
- The call follows controversies during the June 3 local elections, including ballot paper shortages.
- Lee has ordered a probe involving prosecutors and police into the election irregularities.
- He suggested a constitutional amendment regarding the National Election Commission (NEC) if political parties agree.
- Lee criticized the NEC for having "freedom close to indulgence" without adequate oversight.
SEOUL, June 19 (Reuters) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated on Friday that the nation's election management system is in need of a substantial overhaul, describing recent controversies, including ballot paper shortages during the June 3 local elections, as "absurd."
President Lee has initiated a probe into the ballot shortages that marred the local elections, with prosecutors and police set to participate. The incident sparked public outrage, protests questioning the fairness of the vote, and led to the resignation of the NEC chief.
"We must hurry to conduct a thorough fact-finding investigation and carry out a full legal revision to reform the existing election management system at the level of dismantling it," Lee told a press briefing. He further suggested that "if the ruling and opposition parties can agree, perhaps we should pursue even a one-point constitutional amendment concerning the NEC."