NEC is back in the news as Seoul mayoral race tests Korea’s local elections. The independent body runs free, fair polls and referendums across Korea.
Voters have faced ballot-paper shortages at polling stations, sparking protests and calls for accountability. The National Election Commission has apologised and ordered investigations, while parties contest results in key urban centers, including Seoul and Busan. Local elections test President Lee Jae Myung's administration and the opposition's regrouping prospects.