The ruling and opposition parties will open a plenary session of the National Assembly next week and begin a full-scale parliamentary inquiry into the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections. The National Assembly has reported the request for a parliamentary inquiry into the ballot paper shortage to the plenary session.
Floor leader Han Byeong-do of the Democratic Party of Korea and floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik of the People Power Party met at the National Assembly on the 11th, chaired by National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik.
Jang Hyeon-ju, senior secretary for public affairs in the speaker's office, said, "(Speaker Jo) proposed that next week we set the plenary schedule, form the special committee for the parliamentary inquiry, and discuss the investigation plan," adding, "The floor leaders of both parties agreed."
He went on, "At the meeting, there was talk of quickly handling the investigation plan related to the ballot paper shortage," adding, "There was no talk of a special counsel regarding problems at the National Election Commission."
At the plenary session held that day, the National Assembly reported the request for a parliamentary inquiry. A parliamentary inquiry proceeds through procedures such as reporting to the plenary session, drafting the investigation plan, and a plenary vote.
The ruling and opposition parties are expected to begin negotiations on the details, including forming the special committee for the inquiry. The Democratic Party and the People Power Party currently differ on matters such as the chairperson and members of the special committee and the institutions to be investigated. On the allocation of members, the Democratic Party is calling for distribution by seat ratio, while the People Power Party is calling for equal numbers from both sides.