Special Prosecutors Raid 10 Locations, Including Busan Election Commission, Over Election Contract Allegations

The Special Prosecutor's team investigating the Election Commission has launched a major raid in response to allegations of favoritism in election equipment storage contracts and false voter count entries.

Beginning at 9:30 a.m. on October 15, the team is conducting searches at 10 locations, including the National Election Commission, regional election offices, the Suwon Election Training Institute, and residences of Election Commission officials, on charges of breach of trust, bid interference, forgery of public electronic records, and obstruction of public duties.

More than 30 personnel, including 10 forensic investigators, are involved in the operation.

The raids target three regional election commissions in Busan, Gyeongnam, and Gyeongbuk, as well as five local election offices in Chilgok, Nam-gu in Pohang, Sacheon in Gyeongnam, Dongnae in Busan, and Ulju in Ulsan, all under suspicion of favoritism in the so-called 'warehouse contracts' for election equipment storage.

The special team has reportedly secured evidence indicating that these election offices have been continuously entering into exclusive and preferential storage contracts with specific companies since 2022.

Separately, the Special Prosecutor's team is also investigating indications that the Election Commission falsely reported voter counts during the June 3 local elections. This has led to additional raids at seven locations, including the National Election Commission and regional offices in Chungnam, Jeonnam, Gwangju, Gyeongnam, and Gangwon, as well as local offices in Nam-gu, Busan, and Seogwipo in Jeju, on charges of forgery of public electronic records.

After analyzing the seized materials, the Special Prosecutor's team plans to summon relevant individuals to clarify the extent of collusion in the election equipment contract process and the scale of false voter count entries.

A spokesperson for the Special Prosecutor's team stated, "Given the evidence of collusion not only within the National Election Commission but also across regional offices, we will hold all levels of the Election Commission accountable for structural corruption."