For the battle is not yours, but God’s.
According to Yonhap News and other media reports, a serious election administration failure occurred during South Korea’s June 3 local elections when at least 17 polling stations in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Ulsan, and other regions ran out of ballot papers.
The shortage left many voters waiting for extended periods of time, while some reportedly were unable to cast their votes at all. The National Election Commission (NEC) later attempted to address the situation by supplying additional ballot papers and extending voting hours, but confusion, frustration, and public protests continued at affected polling stations.
The incident has raised significant concerns about the protection of voting rights and the integrity of the election process. Critics argue that no eligible voter should be prevented from voting due to a failure in election management.
The People Power Party (PPP) claimed that the ballot shortage undermined the fairness of the election and called for the suspension of vote counting in Seoul and the holding of a new election. The party also announced plans to pursue legal action seeking to invalidate the election results. The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed that the NEC should be held accountable for its poor management but rejected demands to halt the counting process.
In response, the National Election Commission stated that the ballot shortage does not constitute legal grounds for postponing the election or conducting a re-election under South Korea’s Public Official Election Act. The commission also insisted that the ongoing vote count could not be suspended.
On the same day, the Citizens’ Committee for Public Welfare, a civic organization, filed a criminal complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against National Election Commission Chairman Roh Tae-ak and other election officials, accusing them of abuse of authority and dereliction of duty.
The organization argued that depriving citizens of the opportunity to exercise their right to vote strikes at the heart of a democratic society. It called for the suspension of vote counting and a parliamentary investigation until the full circumstances of the ballot shortage are thoroughly examined and addressed.
The controversy has sparked nationwide debate over election management, voter rights, and public confidence in South Korea’s democratic process. (Source: Prayer24‧365)
He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV)
God, awaken the church in Korea through Your Word as our nation faces a critical situation. Do not let Your people be overcome by fear or confusion because of those who seek to bring disorder and division to the nation. Remind us that the battle belongs to You. Lord Jesus, as the Korean church lifts up Your name—the name that has already won the victory through the cross—lead us to respond with faith and prayer. Reveal Your glory through Your people and establish Your purposes in this land. May Korea be blessed as a nation that proclaims the gospel of Christ to the ends of the earth, bringing honor and glory to Your name.
Prayer 24·365
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