Election Commission Extends Travel Ban on Former Chairman Noh Tae-ak

The Special Investigation Team of the Election Commission, led by Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han, has extended the travel ban on Noh Tae-ak, the former chairman of the National Election Commission.

According to legal sources on September 28, the Ministry of Justice has accepted the Special Prosecutor's request to prolong the existing travel ban on Noh.

Noh is currently under investigation as a suspect for abuse of power, dereliction of duty, embezzlement, and breach of trust in connection with the ballot shortage incident during the June 3 local elections.

Previously, the People's Livelihood Countermeasures Committee filed a complaint against Noh and others with the police, and the case was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's joint investigation team. After conducting preliminary investigations, the joint team referred the case back to the Special Prosecutor's Office.

The travel ban on Noh was implemented during the joint investigation process, and its duration has now been extended following the Special Prosecutor's request.

Since its launch on September 7, the Special Prosecutor's Office has conducted interviews with complainants the following day and executed search warrants at nine locations, including the Central Election Commission and local election offices, on September 17.

The Special Prosecutor's investigation, which can last up to 150 days, is focused on 12 areas, including allegations of violations of voting rights related to ballot shortages, manipulation of election statistics such as voter turnout, management of essential election materials like ballot boxes, and corruption involving current and former Election Commission members and staff, including improper business trips and preferential contracts.