Lee 'Orders Formation of Ballot Paper JIH' as Launch Gains Speed... SPO Says It Will 'Thoroughly Uncover Public Suspicion'

[Financial News] As President Lee Jae-myung has ordered the formation of a joint prosecutor-police investigation task force over the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections, the launch of a task force to investigate allegations of poor election management by the National Election Commission (NEC) is also expected to move ahead quickly. The prosecution said it would respond swiftly, stating that it would "thoroughly uncover public suspicion."
According to the legal community on the 8th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office of the Republic of Korea (SPO) said in a press notice the previous day that it would "quickly form a joint prosecutor-police investigation task force regarding the issue that disrupted the public's exercise of voting rights during the June 3 local elections" and that it would "work efficiently through close cooperation with the police to thoroughly uncover public suspicion related to this incident."
The investigative authorities are also moving quickly after Lee directly ordered the task force's formation. In a Facebook post the previous day, Lee said, "The people's right to vote is a constitutional right that must not be restricted or infringed for any reason," adding that "this incident is a serious matter that undermined the foundation of popular sovereignty."
He added, "I instructed that a task force involving the prosecution and the police be formed to clarify where responsibility lies and to thoroughly uncover the full details of the case."
Given the president's direct order, the task force could even be launched as early as today. The Public Investigation Department of the Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office, which handles election crime investigations, is expected to lead the formation of the investigative framework. Attention will likely focus on the NEC's overall election management process, its decision-making structure, and the assignment of responsibility.
Meanwhile, NEC officials have already been reported to the police on charges including dereliction of duty. Officials from the Citizens' Committee for Countermeasures for the Livelihoods of Ordinary People (S-Minwi) are scheduled to undergo questioning as complainants starting this morning. They previously filed complaints against Rho Tae-ak, chairperson of the National Election Commission, Heo Cheol-hoon, secretary-general, and Oh Min-seok, chairperson of the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, on charges of abuse of authority, dereliction of duty, and occupational embezzlement and breach of trust.
 
scottchoi15@fnnews.com Choi Eun-sol Reporter