Investigation into Alleged Corruption in Election Supplies Contract

The Special Investigation Team led by Lee Tae-han has launched a probe into alleged collusion between the National Election Commission (NEC) and a specific company regarding a 5 billion won ($4.5 million) contract for voting supplies. This investigation emerged while examining existing allegations of bid rigging related to early voting equipment, expanding the inquiry to encompass all election supply contracts.

According to legal sources on October 14, the special investigation team executed search warrants at five locations, including the NEC and election supply companies in Gimpo and Daegu, on charges of breach of trust and bid rigging. The search began at 8 a.m. at the companies and at 9 a.m. at the NEC.

A total of 31 personnel were involved in the searches, including six forensic investigators from the special investigation team and three from the National Police Agency.

This search is connected to the production of voting supply sets for early voting sites during last year's 21st presidential election and this year's ninth nationwide local elections, with a total project value of approximately 5 billion won. The special investigation team independently identified the collusion between the NEC and the specific company during the investigation and began securing relevant documents.

Previously, the special investigation team took over the case from the joint investigation team, which was looking into allegations of preferential treatment in early voting contracts. Last month, they summoned a suspect, identified as Mr. Han, who previously worked as the head of the NEC's political party division and now operates a voting equipment manufacturing company, for questioning regarding bid rigging.

Mr. Han is accused of securing a contract worth over 1.3 billion won by using a so-called 'dummy company' during the selection process for early voting equipment suppliers for the June 3 local elections. The joint investigation team believes that the winning company was predetermined, leading competing firms to submit higher bids. Two company officials and NEC personnel have been charged with bid rigging and breach of trust.

Defects were also found in the supplied voting equipment. Among the 13,376 semi-transparent early voting boxes provided by Mr. Han's company, 790 were recalled due to issues such as improperly installed parts and malfunctioning locks, causing delays in delivery beyond the original contract deadline.

Concerns have also been raised regarding the concentration of contracts among three companies linked to Mr. Han, his spouse, and their child. These companies secured a total of 103 contracts worth 17.5 billion won, of which 90 were awarded without competitive bidding.

The special investigation team plans to analyze the seized materials to clarify the contract process for the supply sets, the selection of companies, and the involvement of NEC officials.

A spokesperson for the special investigation team stated, "We will uncover the substantive truth regarding preferential treatment in direct contracts and collusion among companies, and hold those responsible accountable based on the analysis of the seized materials."