Key facts
- South Korea's parliament has launched a 45-day investigation into the National Election Commission.
- The probe concerns ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.
- A fact-finding committee recommended a criminal investigation into former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak.
- The committee described the election management as a 'total failure'.
- The panel also suggested a significant restructuring of the NEC.
South Korea's parliament has initiated a 45-day investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) concerning ballot shortages that occurred during the June 3 local elections.
The NEC's fact-finding committee, which concluded its week-long investigation, recommended that former NEC Chairman Roh Tae-ak be referred for criminal investigation. The committee chairperson, Cho Hyun-wook, stated that the management of the elections was marked by a "total failure."
In addition to the call for a criminal probe into the former chief, the committee also stressed the need for a sweeping overhaul of the NEC, suggesting an organizational dismantling. The committee was composed of six members drawn from civic organizations, media, legal, and academic communities.