South Korea's Democratic Party seeks special prosecutor as Andong council eyes its first party chair

The Democratic Party (DP) pledged to push a special prosecutor investigation into the Central Election Commission after a ballot‑paper shortage disrupted the June 3 local elections. Party leader‑interim Han Byung‑do announced in the National Assembly that the DP will adopt the proposal, calling the incident a violation of voting rights and demanding accountability for those responsible. Opposition leader Jeong Jeom‑sik welcomed the move but warned the DP might use the special prosecutor as a political tool.

In Andong city, the DP holds eight of the 20 council seats, enough to become the largest party in the local assembly. The council will elect its chair and vice‑chair on July 6, and the DP hopes to secure the chairmanship for Jeong Bok‑sun. However, negotiations are ongoing with Green Party members and two independents whose support could tip the balance between the DP and the ruling People Power Party (PPP). The outcome depends on multiple voting rounds and procedural rules that favor the senior member in case of a tie.