The Citizen Recommendation Committee for the special counsel investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) has been finalized, consisting of a total of six members, with three recommended by each the ruling and opposition parties. This committee was formed as part of the appointment process for a special counsel to uncover the truth behind allegations of violations of the people's right to vote, including the ballot paper shortage during the 9th nationwide local elections.

The recommendation committee will receive a total of six special counsel candidates — three each from the Korean Bar Association and the Korea Law School Council. Of these candidates, the ruling and opposition parties will agree on two to send to the President, who will then appoint one as the special counsel. Under the Special Counsel Act, the committee is to be formed within two days of the act's enforcement.

■ Three Members Recommended by the Democratic Party of Korea

The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 5th that it has selected attorneys Cho Doo-hyun and Cho Ki-yeon, along with Ha Sang-eung, an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Sogang University, as its allotted members of the Citizen Recommendation Committee. The Democratic Party officially stated that it is "recommending three members for the Special Counsel Candidate Citizen Recommendation Committee."

• Attorney Cho Doo-hyun — Graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in economics, joined as a prosecutor, and served as the head of the Sokcho Branch of the Chuncheon District Prosecutors' Office, among other roles. • Attorney Cho Ki-yeon — Graduated from Yonsei University's law department and held various public positions, including legislative legal advisor for the Seoul Metropolitan Council, member of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Public Interest Audit Team, and member of the Ministry of Education's Administrative Disposition Committee. • Associate Professor Ha Sang-eung — Graduated from Seoul National University's Department of Diplomacy, served as an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Brooklyn College in the United States, and currently teaches political science and international relations at Sogang University. Also serves as the chairman of the Political Reform Committee at the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice.

■ Three Members Recommended by the People Power Party

The People Power Party recommended attorneys Kim Yong-kwan and Choi Chang-ho, along with Cha Jin-a, a professor at the Korea University School of Law.

• Attorney Kim Yong-kwan — Former presiding judge at the Seoul Central District Court. • Attorney Choi Chang-ho — Served as the head of the criminal division at the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office and as a non-standing member of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. • Professor Cha Jin-a — Known as a constitutional law expert and is currently a professor at the Korea University School of Law.

With the formation of this Citizen Recommendation Committee, the formal appointment process for the NEC special counsel has begun.