The Joint Investigation Team investigating the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections has completed its search of the Central Election Management Commission's server and is expected to begin a thorough investigation, as seen in this photo taken on the 15th at the Central Election Management Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province. [Photo=Yonhap News]
The Joint Investigation Team formed to uncover the truth behind the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections is accelerating its probe by questioning election officials. The team plans to expand its investigation to include officials from the Central Election Management Commission based on witness testimonies and analysis of seized materials.
According to legal sources on the 21st, the team is reconstructing the circumstances surrounding the ballot shortage based on searches of the election commission and witness interviews. They are examining the distribution and management of ballots and assessing whether the commission's response was adequate.
Just two days after its formation, the team conducted searches at seven locations, including the Central Election Management Commission and the Seoul Election Management Commission. During these searches, they secured documents such as ballot printing plans and service reports.
Witness interviews with election officials who distributed ballots on election day are nearing completion. The team has already questioned officials from the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, starting with a local government employee on the 16th, followed by officials from Jamsil, Banpo, and Noryangjin on the 18th, and from Cheongdam-dong on the 19th, and from Gaepo 2-dong on the 20th. They are focusing on reconstructing the events of election day and identifying any shortcomings in the commission's response.
After completing the witness interviews and analysis of seized materials, the team is expected to investigate officials from the commission. The committee investigating the ballot shortage recommended on the 19th that the team look into 12 individuals, including former chair Noh Tae-ak, indicating that high-ranking officials such as Noh and former Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon may soon be called in for questioning.
Additionally, the investigation will also address allegations regarding the loss of ballot storage boxes that arose after the election. The commission stated that it disposed of the ballot storage box from the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, claiming there was no obligation to retain it. The Joint Investigation Team will examine whether the commission had a duty to preserve the box and whether there was any specific intent behind its disposal.
The team is also looking into allegations of inappropriate overseas trips. These allegations suggest that commission officials misused a budget of 8.68 million won for purposes such as observing the presidential election in the Maldives. It has been revealed that Noh also took his spouse on three overseas trips, which were not disclosed in the commission's post-event reports, and that commission funds were used for accommodation expenses. The team is reportedly considering an investigation into these matters as well.
The blockade of the handball stadium at Olympic Park, which served as the Jamsil vote counting center, has now reached its 17th day. Over the weekend, the venue saw a surge in visitors due to events like the Seoul Park Music Festival and a performance by the Japanese band Kinggnu. According to real-time city data from Seoul, the venue recorded a peak of 22,000 attendees by 2 PM, with individuals in their 20s making up 29.3% of the crowd. Attendees waiting to enter the venue used umbrellas, while some protesters shouted, "Fraudulent election, re-election!" as they observed the crowd.
New signs also appeared on this day. As it was announced that Prime Minister Kim Min-seok would attend a citizen forum on election commission reform at Korea National Sport University, some citizens were seen carrying signs reading, "Let’s remember the violence at the Seoul Western District Court. Violence and conflict are not acceptable. Let’s be peaceful and orderly."
The previous day, an 80-year-old man was apprehended by police near Gate 1-3 of the handball stadium while carrying a gas gun. Police moved him outside the venue to verify his firearm possession permit before allowing him to return home. Subsequently, a 40-year-old woman was found with a toy gun in the same area, prompting police to request that she store it in her vehicle.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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