Police Launch Compulsory Investigation at Seven Locations Including National Election Commission Over Ballot Paper Shortage

Suspected Violation of the Public Official Election Act
Authorities Move to Secure Evidence

The police, who are investigating the shortage of ballot papers that occurred during the June 3 local elections, have launched a compulsory investigation into the National Election Commission and related organizations.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Major Crime Investigation Unit announced on June 11 that, starting at 9 a.m., it is conducting search and seizure operations at seven locations, including the National Election Commission, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, and the district election commissions of Songpa, Seocho, Gangnam, Gwangjin, and Dongjak in Seoul. The police are applying charges such as violation of the Public Official Election Act and dereliction of duty, and are working to secure relevant materials.

On June 5th, at the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, ballot boxes that had not been delivered to the counting center due to being blocked by protesters after the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections are being transported. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Over 100 personnel have been deployed for the search and seizure, including investigators from the Major Crime Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, officers from the National Investigation Headquarters, and digital forensics experts from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. In addition, three prosecutors and about ten investigators from the joint prosecution-police investigation headquarters are participating in the search and seizure at three locations: the National Election Commission, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, and the Songpa District Election Commission.

The police explained that they are focusing their investigative efforts on securing evidence to identify the causes of infringement on citizens' suffrage during the election process and to uncover the facts of the case. A police official stated, "Until the joint investigation headquarters is fully operational, we plan to proceed swiftly with the investigation according to due process."

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