The first public hearing of the National Assembly's special committee investigating the shortage of ballots in the June 3 local elections saw the ruling party emphasizing the responsibility of the National Election Commission (NEC), while the opposition party raised suspicions of a "Sunpia cartel." The ruling party pointed out the lack of identification of voters who gave up voting and the inadequacy of the situation management system. The opposition party alleged that a "Sunpia cartel" exists, where former NEC executives monopolize contracts with the NEC through family or relatives. Furthermore, the opposition party disclosed that Acting Chairman Wi Cheol-hwan of the Central Election Management Committee sent a letter to lawmakers' offices related to impeachment, raising questions about the political neutrality of the NEC.
