In relation to the controversy over the removal of ballots that occurred at a pre-voting site in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, a civic group has reported senior officials of the National Election Commission to the prosecution.
According to the legal profession on the 30th, the Livelihood Committee reported National Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak, Secretary General Kim Yong-bin, and Deputy Secretary General Heo Cheol-hoon to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office on the previous day for neglect of duty and other charges.
They noted, "They have significantly neglected their duty as managers, and this incident has increased public distrust in the National Election Commission."
On the previous day, images of citizens holding ballots and return envelopes outside the former Sinchon-dong community center pre-voting site in Seodaemun-gu were captured, raising concerns about poor management. Election officials distributed ballots to voters who had completed identity checks after handling identification and verification quicker than the voting process, causing those voters to wait outside the voting site.
However, it has been pointed out that exiting the voting area with a ballot received before casting is illegal. Reports also emerged that some citizens waiting for out-of-area voting went out with their ballots to have a meal before returning. During this process, allegations arose that the second identity check was not conducted properly.
The National Election Commission issued a statement in the name of the Secretary General, acknowledging the issue and apologizing, saying, "There was a case where the waiting line for out-of-area voters who received their ballots extended outside the voting site," admitting to poor management and control.