South Korea President Orders Probe into Ballot Shortage

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered a joint investigation by prosecutors and police into a ballot shortage that disrupted local elections last week, calling the incident a serious violation of constitutional rights that damaged the nation's democratic foundation. The president expressed deep regret over the disruptions, which prevented some eligible voters from casting ballots during elections held on Wednesday, June 3.

In statements issued on Sunday, President Lee sharply criticized the National Election Commission (NEC), the independent body that oversaw the vote, calling its response and explanations to the public insufficient. He described the right to vote as a constitutional right that must not be restricted for any reason and said the failure to ensure voting rights was a grave matter, regardless of its impact on election outcomes. The president has requested that the National Assembly launch a parliamentary inquiry to determine the facts, establish preventive measures, and discuss fundamental institutional reforms for the election watchdog.

The government will take all possible measures at the executive level, Lee stated, confirming he has instructed the...