The joint investigation team probing the shortage of voting papers during the June 3 local elections has uncovered evidence suggesting manipulation of voting statistics by officials from the National Election Commission (NEC) and the Gyeonggi Province Election Commission. The team reported that staff members at the election commission incorrectly entered the number of voters and subsequently altered the data without proper reporting to superiors.
The joint investigation team, led by Kim Tae-hoon, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, conducted searches on July 23 at the NEC in Gwacheon and local election offices in Songpa, Gangnam, and Seocho districts.
The searches aimed to gather additional evidence regarding the circumstances surrounding the shortage of voting papers on election day, as well as to confirm allegations of false data entry regarding voter turnout by officials at the NEC and Gyeonggi Province Election Commission.
The search warrants reportedly included charges of falsifying public electronic records and obstructing official duties. Falsifying public electronic records applies when a public official or office creates or alters electronic records with the intent to mislead.
During the analysis of materials obtained in previous searches and interviews with related individuals, the investigation team found indications that staff members at the election commission had entered the number of voters incorrectly and then modified the figures arbitrarily.
According to legal sources, some employees entered the number of voters as hundreds instead of thousands and did not follow the normal reporting and approval procedures to correct the errors. When such mistakes occur, they are supposed to report to superiors and obtain approval to amend the figures, but it appears that staff members changed the numbers on their own.
The investigation team has also reportedly secured messenger conversations in which election commission employees discussed the so-called 'number adjustment' without reporting the erroneous entries. The team is expected to focus on determining whether these were simple input errors or intentional record alterations to conceal mistakes.
This search is aimed at confirming both the shortage of voting papers and the allegations of manipulation of voting statistics. The searches at the Songpa, Gangnam, and Seocho district election offices are focused on gathering additional materials related to the circumstances of the voting paper shortage and the response on election day, while the searches at the NEC and Gyeonggi Province Election Commission are aimed at identifying the process of false data entry and the individuals involved.
The joint investigation team was established on June 9, following President Lee Jae-myung's directive for a swift investigation into the voting paper shortage. Just two days after its formation, on June 11, the team conducted its first searches at seven locations, including the NEC and the Seoul Election Commission. On June 24, they carried out additional searches at the offices of 12 individuals associated with the Seoul and Songpa district election commissions.
The investigation team plans to expand its inquiry beyond local election commission staff to include higher-ups at the NEC involved in reducing the printing ratio of voting papers and communication regarding the issue.
The day before, the team interrogated the head of the Gwangjin District Election Commission, who is under investigation for violations of the Public Official Election Act and dereliction of duty. During the interrogation, statements were reportedly obtained indicating that the shortage of voting papers stemmed from inadequate communication by the NEC.
Once the analysis of the seized materials is complete, the investigation team plans to summon election commission officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the erroneous voter entries and data modifications. They will also verify whether there were prior discussions among staff and whether superiors were informed and approved the changes.
If the investigation confirms intentional manipulation of statistics, it could expand beyond the voting paper shortage to encompass overall election data management. However, the information confirmed so far remains at the circumstantial level, and the actual nature of the manipulation and the extent of involvement will need to be clarified in future investigations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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