Police investigating the ballot paper shortage that occurred during the 9th nationwide local elections held simultaneously (the June 3 local elections) have launched a compulsory investigation into the National Election Commission.
On the morning of the 11th, police executed a search and seizure warrant at the central National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi, on suspicion of violating the Public Official Election Act and dereliction of duty, among other charges. The Seoul National Election Commission and the district commissions in Songpa, Gangnam, Seocho, Gwangjin, and Dongjak are also being searched.
More than 100 personnel were deployed for the search, including officers from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's violent crime investigation unit, the National Office of Investigation (NOI) within the Korean National Police Agency, and digital forensics agents from the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. About 10 members of the joint prosecution–police investigation headquarters, including three prosecutors and investigators, also took part.
Police said they are focusing on securing evidence to uncover the substantive truth of the case, including identifying the causes that led to the infringement of citizens' suffrage, and noted they plan to proceed swiftly with the investigation according to due process until the joint investigation headquarters is fully up and running.
Multiple complaints related to the ballot paper shortage have been filed with police. Central National Election Commission Chair Roh Tae-ak, Secretary General Hur Chul-hoon, and Seoul National Election Commission Chair Oh Min-seok have been accused of charges including dereliction of duty.
According to the central National Election Commission, 140 polling stations were sent additional ballot papers in anticipation of shortages on the June 3 local election day. Of these, 91 used the extra papers. In the process, 26 polling stations temporarily halted voting and then resumed. Seoul had the most polling stations with voting interruptions, at 22.