Key facts
- Investigators questioned two election officials on Thursday regarding ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.
- The probe is investigating allegations that the National Election Commission (NEC) reduced the number of printed ballots and failed to respond effectively to shortages.
- The investigation team also plans to question nine local government officials who distributed ballots.
- The day before, investigators raided the offices of 12 election commission officials.
- Protesters demanding a rerun of the elections have been blocking access to the ballot counting stadium since June 5.
Investigators questioned two election officials on Thursday regarding ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections. The probe focuses on allegations that the National Election Commission (NEC) hastily decided to reduce the number of printed ballots and failed to respond effectively to shortages on election day.
The joint police and prosecution team called in the Songpa District Election Commission officials to question them about the election watchdog's internal instructions in response to the shortages. The team also plans to question nine local government officials who distributed ballots at polling stations in Seoul that ran out of ballot papers.
This questioning follows a raid by the investigation team on the offices of 12 election commission officials who oversaw polling stations in Seoul that experienced ballot shortages.
Meanwhile, protesters demanding a rerun of the elections continued their rally outside the Olympic Park Handball Stadium, which served as a ballot counting site, for the 21st day. Protesters have blocked access to the stadium since June 5, preventing the removal of ballot boxes. The blockade has disrupted operations for sports organizations based at the stadium.
The culture ministry has formally requested the NEC's cooperation to remove election-related items from the site to allow normal operations to resume. An NEC official stated that efforts are underway to remove the items, with requests made to the police and the interior ministry. Police have hesitated to forcibly enter the site due to potential safety concerns, with the acting chief of the National Police Agency emphasizing the need for "social consensus" to remove the ballot boxes.