S. Korea PM Calls for Probe into Ballot Shortage in Local Elections

SEOUL, June 5 (Yonhap) -- Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Friday that a parliamentary investigation or an independent counsel probe should be used, if necessary, to determine what led to the unprecedented shortage of ballots at a dozen polling stations in Seoul in Wednesday's local elections. Kim made the remark in a social media post, saying the ballot shortage "can never be overlooked" and represents "a grave challenge" to South Korea's democracy, while promising to mobilize all possible tools to get to the bottom of the case and hold those responsible to account. "I will order the truth of this incident be revealed through all possible means and measures, including an investigation, and hold those responsible strictly accountable. If necessary, we have to make sure to uncover the truth and improve the system even through a parliamentary investigation or a special prosecutor probe."