No Jeong-hee, Chair of the Election Commission, Takes Responsibility for Poor Early Voting in Presidential Election and Resigns... "Deeply Responsible" (Comprehensive)

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[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] No Jeong-hee, Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, expressed her intention to resign on the 18th in relation to the mismanagement of the March 9 presidential election early voting. She took responsibility for the poor management of voting for COVID-19 confirmed and quarantined individuals during the early voting period of the presidential election.

The Commission announced that Chairperson No stated at the full Election Commission meeting held at the Government Gwacheon Complex in the afternoon, "I deeply feel responsible for the management of early voting for confirmed cases in the presidential election and have expressed my intention to resign."

Chairperson No said, "I sincerely apologize once again for causing concern to the public," and added, "I ask all citizens to cooperate so that the local elections can be conducted flawlessly."

It appears that Chairperson No chose to resign after the presidential election rather than immediately, opting first for the Election Commission to prepare recovery measures. In fact, on the same day, the Election Commission discussed supplementary measures related to the so-called ‘sokuri voting’ controversy concerning the poor management of early voting for COVID-19 confirmed cases. The measures included plans to strengthen coordination between the Central Election Commission and local commissions, enhance internal audits, and consider making the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission a full-time position. The Election Commission’s Election Management Innovation Committee (hereafter Innovation Committee) reported the reform plan at a closed meeting of the Election Commission at 4 p.m.

The Innovation Committee pointed out regarding the series of incidents that "the demand and time required for early voting participation by quarantined individuals were not properly anticipated, there was insufficient preparation for the concentration of quarantined individuals in the metropolitan area, and the use of a temporary polling station voting method, which is complicated and time-consuming, was applied to early voting." Furthermore, it judged that "there was inadequate consideration of stable voting management measures due to strict movement separation and quarantine authorities’ requirements such as allowing outings only after 5 p.m., there was negligence in collecting and reflecting field opinions, and the response after the occurrence of poor management cases was delayed."

As a measure to prevent recurrence, the Innovation Committee proposed sending 10% of the approximately 500 Central Election Commission staff to local election commissions, increasing to 20% two months before important elections. This is to address the issue that concerns about managing voting for COVID-19 confirmed cases raised by local election commissions were not properly reflected by the Secretariat. Accordingly, up to 30% of Central Election Commission staff could be dispatched to the field.

Although the issue of Chairperson No Jeong-hee’s position, which was controversial due to responsibility, was not addressed, there was a consensus toward the need to make the appointment of the Chairperson of the Election Commission, currently a non-standing position held concurrently by a Supreme Court justice, a full-time position in the long term. Currently, the Chairperson is a Supreme Court justice serving concurrently. During the controversy, Chairperson No was criticized for coming to work during the early voting period due to her non-standing status.

Additionally, the Innovation Committee decided to strengthen internal audit functions by making the audit organization independent and raising the rank of the auditor. The reform plan was discussed by a seven-member committee, including Chairperson Jo Byung-hyun, Election Commission members, and figures from the media and academia, to analyze the causes of the incident and discuss measures to prevent recurrence.

Meanwhile, the opposition, centered on the People Power Party, demanded accountability from Chairperson No regarding the mismanagement of the presidential election. Members of the People Power Party in the National Assembly’s Administrative Safety Committee, which oversees the Election Commission, issued a statement on the 21st of last month demanding, "Take responsibility for the poor management of early voting in the presidential election and immediately resign voluntarily," and warned, "If refused, we will push for impeachment proceedings." Former floor leader of the People Power Party, Kim Ki-hyun, also pressured Chairperson No several times, saying, "Voluntary resignation is the minimum duty to the organization and the public," urging her to make a decision.

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