Opposition Files Embezzlement Complaint Against Former Election Chief Over Wife's Travel Expenses

South Korea's People Power Party has filed a criminal complaint against former National Election Commission (NEC) Chairman Noh Tae-ak, accusing him of embezzlement. The complaint alleges that Noh used NEC funds to pay for his wife's travel expenses during three overseas trips, despite a lack of official necessity.

The party's media special committee and legal team announced on June 19 that they had filed the additional complaint with the joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police. The allegations extend to Noh and unnamed NEC officials, who are suspected of embezzlement.

Adding to the controversy, the People Power Party noted that a member of the Democratic Party also accompanied a recent NEC overseas trip. This has intensified suspicions that NEC overseas trips are often "excursions for pleasure" or "political trips" rather than official business, further fueling concerns about the commission's political neutrality.

Records indicate Noh accompanied his wife on overseas trips in 2025, 2024, and 2022. The expenses for the 2025 trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden, reportedly amounted to 90.53 million won (approximately $65,000 USD), while the 2024 trip to Germany and Estonia cost 71.94 million won (approximately $52,000 USD). The cost of the 2022 trip to Australia and New Zealand has not yet been confirmed. Notably, details of Noh's wife accompanying him and the related expenses were not included in the NEC's post-trip reports released publicly.

The People Power Party is urging a thorough investigation into all overseas trips made during Noh's tenure, including whether spouses and political party officials accompanied him, the legality of budget execution, and the actual necessity of these trips. "Now the public is asking who the NEC has been working for," stated Lee Sang-hwi, chairman of the media special committee, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive review of the NEC's operations.