Election Special Counsel Opens Probe Into 12 Allegations Against South Korea’s Election Commission

A special counsel tasked with investigating allegations surrounding South Korea’s National Election Commission officially began work on the 7th, opening an inquiry that can last up to 150 days.

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This is an investigation to protect the people’s constitutional right to participate in politics and restore fairness and trust in elections.

The investigation will examine 12 allegations, including a shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, statistical manipulation, overseas trips deemed excessive, improper hiring and promotions, and preferential treatment in private contracts. The special counsel held a signboard ceremony at its office in Seoul’s Seocho district before starting the investigation.

Special Counsel Lee Tae-han described the inquiry as an effort to protect citizens’ constitutional right to participate in politics and restore fairness and trust in elections. He said the investigation would fully respect legal procedure and human rights, and would not be swayed by unverified allegations or political controversy.

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We will faithfully guarantee due process and human rights during the investigation, and we will not be swayed by unverified allegations or political controversy.

Lee also said the team would proceed without preconceptions and follow the law and principles based on objective materials. The special counsel received investigation records from a joint police and prosecution task force on the 2nd, but called them only “basic materials.” He said the special counsel would not assume the task force’s findings were correct and would conduct a new investigation based on its own judgment.

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They are only basic materials.