South Korea raids former election chief Noh Tae‑ak over foreign‑trip fund misuse

On July 20, a joint investigation team of prosecutors and police carried out a forced search of the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Seoul, seizing documents tied to the “foreign‑trip” allegations against former CEC chairman Noh Tae‑ak. The raid focused on the CEC office and selected staff; Noh’s residence was not searched.

Investigators allege that Noh, while in office, made numerous overseas trips with his spouse to Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia and other countries, and omitted his spouse’s presence from official travel reports, suggesting possible embezzlement of election‑funds. Additional CEC employees are accused of traveling to the Maldives, Bangkok, Kota Kinabalu, Florence and other resorts on trips that allegedly cost about 86.8 million won and were billed to the CEC budget without clear justification.

The operation follows a parliamentary special committee’s probe into a ballot‑paper shortage during recent local elections, raising broader concerns about election‑administration practices. Prosecutors are also examining other CEC hiring and budgeting irregularities, adding political pressure on the ruling party ahead of forthcoming elections.