The Democratic Party calls the Election Commission hiring scandal a "Mafia Family"... Proposes Special Auditor Act

Audit of the Election Commission by the Board of Audit and Inspection Called "Infringement of Independence"
Constitutional Court's Decision Criticized as "Creating a Legal Immunity Zone"
Granting Audit Authority for a Fixed Period

On the 28th, the People Power Party criticized the Central Election Commission, which was recently found to have employment corruption involving former and current employees through an audit by the Board of Audit and Inspection, saying, "At this point, it is confusing whether this is an organization managing elections or a criminal mafia family."

At the party floor meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong targeted the Election Commission, stating, "From high-ranking officials to mid-level managers, family hiring requests and irregular hiring practices were rampant throughout the Election Commission," and added, "However, when controversies over hiring relatives arose, the Election Commission attempted to conceal the criminal acts by ordering the destruction of documents."

Regarding the Constitutional Court's ruling that the Board of Audit and Inspection's job observation of the Election Commission's hiring and personnel management infringed on the Commission's independence, Floor Leader Kwon argued, "Ultimately, the common thought among our younger generation is that this created a legal immunity zone."

Ahead of the confirmation hearing for Kim Dae-woong, a candidate for the Election Commissioner scheduled for the 6th of next month, Floor Leader Kwon proposed holding an emergency meeting on the 5th to address the hiring corruption at the Election Commission, stating, "If the Democratic Party opposes this, they can only be seen as forces sympathizing with the corrupt group that is the Election Commission."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. 2025.2.27 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

He also expressed his intention to propose a party bill for a special auditor law concerning the Election Commission. The purpose is to allow audits of the Election Commission with authority equivalent to the Board of Audit and Inspection, for a fixed period similar to a special prosecutor.

Floor Leader Kwon emphasized, "We should introduce a temporary National Assembly investigation law for the Central Election Commission, granting investigative and disciplinary authority equivalent to the Board of Audit and Inspection to correct fraud and corruption," and added, "To strengthen checks and oversight of the Election Commission, we will also introduce a National Assembly confirmation hearing for the Secretary-General, who is the practical head of the Commission."

Furthermore, he addressed the Election Commission, saying, "The Constitutional Court pointed out that exclusion from the Board of Audit and Inspection's job supervision should not be misconstrued as recognizing a sanctuary for fraudulent acts. It clearly stated that external controls by the National Assembly through national investigations and audits, as well as investigative agencies, are not excluded," and emphasized, "Now, the ball is back in the National Assembly's court."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.