Special Counsel Lee Tae-han launches NEC investigation

Special Counsel Lee Tae-han has officially commenced operations to investigate 12 allegations surrounding the National Election Commission (NEC), primarily focusing on the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections. The special counsel team has established a temporary office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, occupying multiple floors to accommodate a potential workforce of up to 165 personnel, including special investigators and seconded prosecutors.

The investigation covers a wide range of suspected irregularities, including violations of suffrage due to ballot shortages, allegations of election statistics manipulation, unauthorized overseas travel by former NEC officials, and procedural errors in reducing printing standards for ballots. The team is also looking into suspected vote-counting irregularities.

Special Counsel Lee is currently finalizing the selection of deputy special counsels, with plans to submit a list of 10 candidates to the Presidential Office. He has also met with the Seoul Bar Association to request assistance in recruiting highly skilled special investigators. The team is preparing to take over investigative records from the joint prosecution-police investigation headquarters and is prioritizing the acquisition of digital forensics expertise to expedite the probe.