President Lee: "Thoroughly Investigate All Corruption at the NEC"

[Financial News] President Lee Jae-myung said on the 23rd that, regarding the National Election Commission's poor election management, "There were aspects of lax and careless operation because the organization did not stay sufficiently alert. Any criminally problematic parts should be thoroughly investigated and uncovered, and responsibility should be held."
At the State Council meeting and Senior Presidential Aides Meeting he chaired at the Blue House that day, Lee said, "The problems that arose during the voting process are important, but there are also indirect corruption issues related to them, as well as absurd incidents that come to light in the process, aren't there?"
In particular, Lee noted, "Public concern and interest in the NEC situation are very high." He added, "What is truly regrettable is that if this were within the scope of an agency under government control, we could take action, but as a constitutionally independent body, it is impossible to manage or control."
He also criticized the commission, saying, "Even the National Assembly has difficulty carrying out routine oversight and management, so it seems many problems have arisen inside the organization. The world truly admires the democracy of the Republic of Korea, but there is no excuse for the NEC, which is responsible for that core function, to have committed such unacceptable acts while being effectively beyond control."
Lee also called for swift alternatives and countermeasures, saying, "We need to prepare solutions and establish measures quickly. I understand the National Assembly is working on measures across party lines, and we will also look forward to that and cooperate. But we should do our utmost from now on to eliminate the various negative elements within it."
In addition, Lee asked about the progress of the Joint Investigation Headquarters of Prosecutors and Police and ordered an increase in personnel.
He emphasized, "For example, I am not sure whether issues such as budget waste or hiring irregularities, which may have been resolved before, have been properly sorted out. In any case, there seem to be many absurd incidents that the public cannot understand during internal operations. If necessary for the investigation, I hope all such matters will be thoroughly investigated."

cjk@fnnews.com Choi Jong-geun Reporter