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Voters cast their ballots at an early voting station set up at the Sogong-dong Community Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on May 29, the first day of early voting for South Korea’s 21st presidential election. / Source: Park Sung-il

South Korea’s National Election Commission (NEC) issued an official apology on May 29 over a controversy involving the handling of ballots at an early voting station in Sinchon-dong, Seoul, on the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election.

Earlier that day, voters were seen standing outside the Sinchon-dong polling station holding ballots and return envelopes, prompting public concerns over ballot security.

In a statement, NEC Secretary-General Kim Yong-bin admitted to management failures during the early voting process. "There was a lapse in managing the voting process, resulting in a queue of out-of-district voters holding ballots that extended outside the polling station," Kim said.

He further explained, "The staff failed to properly adjust the issuance speed of ballots as the line grew longer, and there was also inadequate control over voters waiting in line, leading to a few temporarily leaving the queue."

However, Kim clarified, "No ballots were taken out of the polling station, and it has been confirmed that all voters who were waiting outside eventually completed their voting." He added, "This incident is something that should never have happened under normal expectations. We sincerely apologize to voters for the confusion caused by our mistake."

Kim concluded by stating, "As secretary-general of the NEC, I take full responsibility for the shortcomings of the on-site staff, and I offer my deepest apologies to the public." He also pledged, "We will ensure stricter management for tomorrow’s early voting and on election day so that voters can cast their ballots with confidence."