Special Prosecutor: “No Coercive Questioning Mentioned in Deceased NEC Employee’s Note ... Says They Hold No Grudge”

Rebutting Defense Counsel's Claim of a “Predetermined Investigation”
“Note Also Pointed Out Problems Within the NEC”

The special prosecutor team investigating the National Election Commission, led by Lee Tae-han, said it had reviewed the suicide note of an NEC employee who died after recently being questioned by the team and found that it contained “no mention of a coercive investigation.” The team said the note instead indicated that the employee did not resent the special prosecutor and pointed out problems within the NEC.

The Lee Taehan special counsel team investigating the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections and various allegations involving the National Election Commission officially began its investigation on Sept. 7 with a signboard unveiling ceremony at its office in Seocho-dong, Seoul. Sept. 7, 2026. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

In a notice to the press on Oct. 23, the special prosecutor team said, “To prevent unnecessary controversy, we reviewed the deceased’s suicide note in accordance with due process,” adding, “There was absolutely no mention in the note of a coercive investigation during the inquiry.”

The statement was a counterargument to claims made the previous day by Dodam Law Firm, which represented the deceased, that the special prosecutor’s investigation involved a “predetermined, fishing-expedition-style probe” and pressure to give statements. Dodam claimed that when the employee, identified only as A, answered, “I don’t know,” during questioning, the prosecutor raised their voice and demanded the answers they wanted.

Earlier, A, a civil servant in their 40s affiliated with the NEC, was found dead on Oct. 21 in an apartment in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. The previous day, A had been questioned by the special prosecutor on suspicion of obstructing a bid related to a contract for election supplies and committing breach of trust in the course of work.

After the NEC said A had experienced psychological pressure due to the ongoing investigation and had been questioned until late at night, the special prosecutor responded that “there was no late-night questioning or coercive atmosphere.” According to the special prosecutor, questioning of A ended at 8:55 p.m. A then spent 1 hour and 45 minutes reviewing the record and personally revising about 40 answers.

The special prosecutor team said, “We are conducting the investigation based on objective materials, including work logs containing various records,” adding, “We will continue to uncover allegations of collusion between the NEC and contractors and preferential treatment in contracts, and clearly establish who is responsible.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.