"If procedural illegality is clear, the election should be challenged as invalid" ... Na Kyung-won to propose amendment to Public Official Election Act

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[Financial News] Na Kyung-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, said she plans to propose an amendment to the Public Official Election Act in response to the 'ballot paper shortage' that occurred in the June 3 local elections. She said the move is meant to "correct the infringement on voting rights caused by the violation of procedural legitimacy," adding that "this is a grave responsibility we must fulfill now."
On the 7th, Na began a post on her Facebook page by saying that public anger and criticism over the flawed election and the violent crackdown on the ballot shortage were growing by the day.
She added, "I had already called for the vote count to be suspended and for a revote when the counting first began," and stressed, "My position does not change just because the election result turned out to favor our camp."
Na said that the extended voting hours caused by the ballot shortage in this local election, the transport of ballots in zip bags and shopping bags, and voting after broadcasters released exit poll results all involved constitutional interests that were far more seriously infringed than the benefits gained by keeping the winners in office.
She lamented that, under the current provisions of the Public Official Election Act, it is difficult to secure a revote through a court ruling. "That is the harsh reality. It is regrettable," she said.
She continued, "A revote is possible if the winner resigns before the start of the term, but even that is not easy in practice." She added, "Accordingly, I plan to introduce an amendment to the Public Official Election Act so that if procedural illegality such as a ballot shortage or a flawed election is clear, the election can be challenged as invalid retroactively, regardless of its impact on the result."
Na said, "Even at this very moment, many citizens, university students, and young people in their 20s and 30s are continuing a difficult struggle on the ground, protesting the flawed election," and added, "I deeply respect the views from the field that the legitimate resistance of citizens who are voluntarily fighting on the ground must not be distorted by political intervention or have its pure purpose undermined."
She went on to say, "There must be accountability for the unjust abuse of public power," and emphasized, "For now, we will first work to protect citizens' legitimate anger from being distorted and to create the support and practical alternatives needed within the institutional framework."
Na also presented three tasks that she said must be pursued immediately in the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea: proposing an amendment to the Public Official Election Act so that election results can be challenged as invalid regardless of the outcome, dismantling the NEC and designing a new national election governance system, and swiftly passing a motion for a National Assembly investigation to uncover the truth behind the ballot shortage disaster and excessive use of force.
Na said, "I will do my utmost to prevent any further abuse of public power," adding, "I will do everything I can so that the cries from the square lead to real institutional reform."
Meanwhile, she sharply criticized the ruling bloc, saying, "What is even more appalling is the ruling camp's perception of citizens' legitimate anger."
Na pointed to "the outrageous remarks made by a YouTube host aligned with the ruling camp, who said the protesters should be 'run over by tanks' and 'eradicated,'" and added, "In the recent Starbucks Tank Day controversy, the president and ministers even stepped in to openly pressure the company, forcing the resignation of a responsible official and a public apology, and even launching an investigation, didn't they?"
She continued, "By the standards of this administration, saying on a YouTube broadcast that people should be run over by tanks should lead to immediate arrest, investigation, and the maximum punishment under the law." She urged, "President Lee Jae-myung should state what measures he intends to take on this."
newssu@fnnews.com Kim Su-yeon Reporter