Joint team to probe ballot shortage; election officials to be summoned

A joint investigation team will officially launch this week to probe the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections. The team, based at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, is finalizing personnel assignments and data transfers to commence its full-scale investigation.

The investigation will begin with analyzing data seized from the National Election Commission (NEC) servers and related materials. Following this analysis, the team is expected to summon election officials, starting with those at the working level who are most familiar with the situation. This approach aims to establish the facts of the case systematically.

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Those who know the ballot shortage situation well, meaning working-level officials, are the first to be called in, so we will proceed according to procedure.

Authorities have already taken action against key figures. Former NEC Chairman Noh Tae-ak and former Secretary-General Huh Cheol-hoon are among more than ten election commission officials being investigated on suspicion of violating election laws and dereliction of duty. The Ministry of Justice has placed Noh and Huh under a travel ban at the request of the joint investigation team.

The investigation will delve into various aspects of the ballot shortage, including the background of the decision to print fewer ballots for the main vote, the process of managing ballot inventory, and allegations of destroying ballot boxes. The incident, which led to voting disruptions at several polling stations, has raised significant public concern and calls for a thorough investigation into the election commission's procedures and accountability.

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There were difficulties in inspecting and storing millions of ballots due to the increase in leftover ballots from the previous election, and there were concerns about loss, theft, and hijacking.