Election Commission Officials Summoned as Ballot Paper Shortage Investigation Continues

South Korea's joint investigation team is pressing forward with its inquiry into the ballot paper shortage that plagued the June 3 local elections, summoning election commission officials over the weekend. The investigation, led by Kim Tae-hoon, the third deputy chief prosecutor at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, is intensifying with additional personnel from the prosecution and police.

The probe is broadening its scope beyond the ballot paper issue to scrutinize allegations of hiring irregularities and extravagant overseas trips by senior election commission officials, as well as other instances of mismanagement. The joint team has already summoned numerous officials from Seoul's district election commissions and individuals who filed complaints.

To date, over 70 individuals, including on-site personnel and regional election commission staff, have been investigated in connection with the ballot paper shortage. The investigation is also focusing on the root causes of the shortage. Recently, the team questioned individuals involved in a research project commissioned by the National Election Commission in 2022. This report reportedly suggested reducing the number of ballots printed for elections, citing reasons such as the high number of discarded ballots and insufficient storage space.

Following the completion of investigations into operational staff, the inquiry is expected to move towards examining higher-ranking officials within the National Election Commission and the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission.