Heo Cheol-hun, Secretary General of the National Election Commission, delivers a public apology regarding the ballot paper shortage at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 3rd, the main voting day of the 6·3 local elections. Yonhap News Agency
Heo Cheol-hun, Secretary General of the Election Commission, issued a public apology over an unprecedented situation.
The National Election Commission stated on the 3rd that, regarding the suspension of voting at some polling stations in Seoul during the 6·3 local elections due to a shortage of ballot papers, it “takes full responsibility and offers a deep apology.”
At 9 p.m. that day, at the National Election Commission headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Secretary General Heo Cheol-hun delivered a public apology and made this statement.
Heo said, “During the voting on the 3rd, due to ballot paper shortages at some polling stations, the commission caused great confusion and concern,” and added, “We acknowledge responsibility for inconveniencing citizens who came to exercise their precious suffrage and for damaging public trust in fair election management, and we offer a deep apology.”
He continued, “As soon as the commission became aware of the situation, it transported ballot papers to the polling stations in shortage,” and said, “Voters waiting at those stations were guided and allowed to cast their ballots normally even after the official closing time.”
He added, “The commission takes this matter very seriously,” and said, “Immediately after the count concludes, we will accurately identify the causes and issues behind the shortages at certain polling stations and prepare measures to prevent recurrence.”
On the afternoon of the same day, an unprecedented suspension of voting occurred at polling stations in some areas, including Songpa-gu and Gangnam-gu in Seoul, due to paper shortages. Voters in these areas waited as long as two to three hours for ballot papers to be delivered, and some gave up and went home. According to an internal survey by the People Power Party Seoul chapter, at least twelve polling stations experienced ballot paper shortages.
The following is the full text of the Election Commission apology.
<Public apology regarding ballot paper shortages on election day>
On June 3, during the election day voting process, the Election Commission caused the public great confusion and concern due to ballot paper shortages at some polling stations.
We deeply apologize and accept responsibility for inconveniencing citizens who came to polling stations to exercise their precious suffrage and for damaging public trust in the fair administration of elections.
As soon as we became aware of the situation, the commission transported ballot papers to the polling stations in shortage, and took measures and provided guidance so that voters waiting at those stations could vote normally even if the closing time had passed.
The National Election Commission takes this matter very seriously, and immediately after the vote count concludes, we will precisely identify the causes and problems that led to shortages at certain polling stations and establish measures to prevent recurrence.
We once again apologize for causing disappointment due to inadequate preparation and response.
June 3, 2026.
Heo Cheol-hun, Secretary General of the National Election Commission
