(2nd LD) Election watchdog chief offers to resign over ballot shortages in local elections

Roh Tae-ak, chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC), made the announcement amid public backlash over the commission's poor handling of ballot distribution for Wednesday's local elections.

"I feel deeply responsible for the whole situation," Roh said during a press briefing at the agency's headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.

He apologized for undermining public trust in election management, saying the incident had dampened voters' strong interest in local government and participation in the elections.

"Furthermore, I feel devastated and infinitely responsible as chairman of the National Election Commission for the situation that undermined public trust in election management and led to distrust in the election process," he added.

NEC Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon also offered to resign, according to Roh.

Roh pledged to fully cooperate with all investigations into the incident, including a possible parliamentary probe.

The presidential office said it "takes seriously" the resignations offered by Roh and Heo, and called for measures to review the overall election management process in order to restore public trust.

"The NEC must provide a sufficient explanation that the public can accept and take strict follow-up measures regarding the significant concerns caused to the public during the election process," a Cheong Wa Dae official said.

The NEC plans to launch an independent committee composed of outside experts to determine the exact cause of the shortage and come up with preventive measures.

Ballot shortages were reported at more than a dozen polling stations in Seoul, including in the southeastern wards of Songpa and Gangnam, prompting temporary suspensions of voting there. Some voters reportedly ended up leaving without casting their ballots after waiting.

Protesters alleging election fraud later gathered at a polling station in Jamsil in Songpa Ward, blocking election officials from transporting ballot boxes to a counting center.

Police eventually dispersed the crowd earlier in the day and transferred the ballot boxes containing around 2,000 ballots for vote counting.