Overview

• During May 29–30 early voting, officials discovered 30–40 ballots removed at a Seoul polling station and old legislative ballots in presidential boxes in Gimpo and Bucheon.
• NEC Chairperson Rho Tae-ak publicly apologized twice for the early voting mishaps, pledging more thorough management for election day.
• A US-based National Election Integrity Association delegation reported multiple violations in the early voting process.
• Civic groups have lodged formal complaints and are pushing for structural reforms, including external oversight and leadership changes at the NEC.
• With the June 3 presidential vote approaching, public confidence in South Korea’s election system is under intense scrutiny.