South Korea President Proposes Constitutional Reform of Election Commission After Ballot Shortages Disrupted Voting

President Lee Jae Myung called Friday for a fundamental reform of the National Election Commission through a constitutional amendment if necessary, after the agency failed to prepare enough ballot papers for the June 3 local elections. Lee spoke at a press briefing at Cheong Wa Dae.

" "There is no oversight or checks and balances on the watchdog's operations because it is an independent body," Lee said.

He proposed a one-point constitutional amendment if rival parties agree and raised the need to change the method of selecting the commission's head from among three members recommended by the Supreme Court chief justice. "If necessary, the president can introduce (a constitutional amendment)," Lee said.

" Later the same day, during a meeting with top aides, Lee criticized the commission for negligence and moral hazard.

He called for a sweeping legal revision to reform the election administration system "to a level tantamount to dismantling it" and for a thorough investigation to prevent recurrence. Lee also addressed ongoing protests in Jamsil, southern Seoul, over the ballot shortages. He said peaceful rallies should be protected but called for stern responses to any violence or fake news.

When asked about a Cabinet reshuffle, Lee said one would come at an appropriate time after the administration passed the one-year mark. He nominated Han Seong-sook, minister of small and medium-sized enterprises, to replace Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.

"We will need to do a Cabinet reshuffle at an appropriate time, on an appropriate scale, but for now, I haven't yet looked in detail at when, for which ministries and to what extent," Lee said.