South Korean Special Prosecutor to Verify 2.47 Million Ballots

The special prosecution team investigating the National Election Commission is scheduled to conduct a public verification of approximately 2.47 million ballots on the 28th at the Olympic Handball Gymnasium in Seoul. The investigation follows allegations regarding ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.

The verification process will focus on identifying potential forgery, tampering, or errors in voting and counting equipment. Investigators plan to analyze CCTV footage to check for unauthorized access to storage areas, inspect the quantity and printing quality of the ballots, and investigate the possibility of hacking related to ballot sorters.

Over 110 members of the special prosecution team will be deployed, supported by personnel and equipment from the National Police Agency and the National Forensic Service, along with approximately 500 election commission staff. To ensure transparency, the process will be observed by roughly 100 observers, including lawmakers from both major parties, and over 50 members of the press.

The special prosecutor emphasized that this action is a part of an active criminal investigation rather than a formal recount under the Public Official Election Act, meaning it will not officially affect the determination of election winners. The team is also investigating broader allegations, including statistical manipulation, improper overseas travel by officials, and recruitment irregularities.