Roh Tae-ak, Chairperson of the National Election Commission, apologized regarding early voting for the 21st presidential election, noting, "There were some shortcomings in management."
On the 31st, Chairperson Roh issued a statement to the public, saying, "I sincerely apologize for causing confusion among the voters. We will manage more thoroughly in the upcoming election day voting to ensure voters can cast their ballots with confidence."
He met reporters at the fair election observer event held at the Seongdong District Election Commission in Dongdaemun, Seoul, on this day, saying, "Once the election procedures are completed, we will identify the causes and responsibilities, and take strict legal action."
Concerns about voting management arose as incidents and accidents related to early voting papers occurred consecutively over the two days of the 29th and 30th.
At the early voting station in Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul, 30 to 40 ballot papers were taken out. Inbound early ballot boxes in Gimpo and Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, contained marked ballots from the 22nd general election. In Gangnam, Seoul, an early voting staff member was caught and arrested for proxy voting using a spouse's ID. In Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, marked ballots for Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung were found in envelopes intended to return out-of-district early voting papers to the relevant area, prompting a police investigation.
Chairperson Roh also mentioned interference with election activities. He said, "Organizations claiming election fraud systematically obstructed the management of early voting," noting, "Instances included National Election Commission staff being injured or early voting supervisors losing consciousness, as well as break-ins into the commission's offices."
He continued, "These actions are illegal activities that undermine the foundation of democracy, and the National Election Commission will respond firmly through legal procedures."