Blue House Says It Takes Election Commission Chair's Resignation Seriously, Calls for Strict Follow-up Measures

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\r\n[Financial News] On the 5th, the Blue House said it takes Noh Tae-ak's resignation as Chairperson of the National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea (NEC) seriously, following the shortage of ballot papers, and called for strict follow-up measures by the NEC.
A Blue House official said that day, "We take the resignations of Noh Tae-ak, Chairperson of the National Election Commission, and Heo Cheol-hoon, Secretary-General, seriously."
The official stressed, "The NEC must provide a sufficient explanation that the public can understand and take strict follow-up measures regarding the major concerns caused to the public during the election process."
The official added, "It should also responsibly carry out a review of the overall election management system and institutional reforms to restore public trust."
Earlier, Noh and Heo had offered to resign, taking responsibility for the shortage of ballot papers.
Noh said, "The shortage of ballot papers damaged the public's strong interest in local autonomy and active expression of opinion shown through voting." He added, "As Chairperson of the NEC, I feel both devastated and an immense sense of responsibility over the situation in which public trust in election management has been undermined, leading to distrust in the election process."
He continued, "I will faithfully cooperate with all procedures that confirm the NEC's responsibility for this incident, including a National Assembly investigation, and if there is anything I must take responsibility for based on the outcome, I will never evade it."
President of the United States Lee Jae Myung also criticized the issue at the senior aides meeting the previous day, saying, "I express deep regret that an inexplicable flaw occurred in election management, which should be the most thorough process in a democratic republic."
The president instructed, "The relevant agencies must use all authority and responsibility the executive branch has to clearly determine why the problem occurred and, if there is anyone who should be held accountable, make that responsibility clear." He added, "Please swiftly prepare credible and appropriate measures so that the people's right to vote is never compromised, even by a fraction."
Prime Minister of South Korea Kim Min-seok also said on social media that day, "If necessary, we must achieve a clear investigation and institutional reform through a National Assembly investigation or a special prosecutor."
Kim said, "I will order that the truth behind this incident be uncovered through all means and measures, including investigations, and that strict accountability be imposed."
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west@fnnews.com Sung Seok-woo Reporter