# South Korean National Election Commission investigation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-national-election-commission-investigation
> Updated: 2026-08-28T05:12:11.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 3.

Special Counsel Lee Tae-han has launched an investigation into 12 allegations involving the National Election Commission (NEC), primarily concerning ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections. The probe is examining suspected irregularities such as voter rights violations, election statistics manipulation, unauthorized overseas travel by former NEC officials, and potential vote-counting errors.

To facilitate the investigation, the special counsel team established a temporary office in Seoul and is recruiting a workforce of up to 165 personnel. The team is currently in the process of selecting five assistants, who will hold status equivalent to chief prosecutors. Candidates were chosen based on their digital forensic and investigative capabilities, as well as their political neutrality.

As of late August, the special prosecutor is accelerating personnel recruitment. The office has initially deployed three prosecutors, five special investigators, and six police officers to the temporary office. To expand the team, official cooperation requests have been sent to the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Agency, with the goal of securing approximately 60 personnel, including 20 prosecutors, by next month. 

Additionally, the office has requested the transfer of investigation records and seized evidence from the joint prosecution-police investigation headquarters. The special prosecutor’s office aims to finalize investigation plans by the end of the month to ensure a rapid commencement of official duties on the 7th of next month.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-28: National Election Commission special prosecutor accelerates personnel recruitment

Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han is scaling up personnel for the investigation into the June 3 local election ballot shortage, requesting dozens of prosecutors and police officers to begin work next month.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-election-commission-special-prosecutor-accelerates-personnel-recruitment

### 2026-08-26: Special Prosecutor selects 10 candidates for election investigation assistants

Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han has selected 10 candidates for assistant positions to investigate the June 3 local election ballot shortage and related irregularities in South Korea.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/special-prosecutor-selects-10-candidates-for-election-investigation-assistants

### 2026-08-24: Special Counsel Lee Tae-han launches NEC investigation

Special Counsel Lee Tae-han has launched an investigation into 12 allegations involving the National Election Commission, including ballot shortages and potential election statistics manipulation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/special-counsel-lee-tae-han-launches-nec-investigation

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Cite as: South Korean National Election Commission investigation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-national-election-commission-investigation