Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung stated on Sunday that while he acknowledges complaints regarding voting rights infringement due to an unprecedented shortage of ballots in the recent local elections, he firmly rejects claims of election fraud. He emphasized that such allegations distort the true nature of the issue.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee made these remarks during a remote meeting with his top aides from Rome, where he is visiting as part of a broader European trip. He expressed his understanding of the public's grievances, saying, "I acknowledge and accept all of our people's fair complaints about voting rights infringement."
The shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections reportedly led to some voters leaving without casting their votes. "It is absurd and I am taken aback that such an incident took place amid what can be said to be the foundation of democracy," Lee added.
The National Election Commission has admitted that over two dozen polling stations across the nation experienced temporary voting suspensions due to the ballot shortages. This has prompted protest rallies at a vote counting station in eastern Seoul for ten consecutive days, with attendance peaking at over 15,000 people, based on unofficial police estimates. Protesters are demanding a re-run of the elections, with some alleging that the ballot shortages were part of an election fraud scheme.
President Lee dismissed these fraud claims, labeling them as a distortion of the issue and an anti-social crime. He asserted that those spreading such allegations must be held accountable. "Spreading allegations of election fraud and (raising accusations of) election result manipulation are tantamount to distorting the essence of the matter and constitutes anti-social behavior that insults the precious voice of the people," he stated.
He called for a more efficient and thorough investigation into the ballot shortage case by the ongoing joint prosecution-police probe. Additionally, the National Assembly is set to launch a parliamentary investigation committee later this week to further address the issue.