Special Counsel Team Investigating NEC Searches Nine Locations, Including NEC Headquarters, in First Compulsory Investigation

[Financial News] The special counsel team investigating the National Election Commission, led by Special Counsel Lee Tae-han, launched its first compulsory investigation targeting the National Election Commission and regional election commissions 10 days after its formation.
The special counsel team announced to the media on the morning of the 17th, "Starting at approximately 9:10 a.m. today, we have been executing court-issued search and seizure warrants and conducting searches of nine locations, including the National Election Commission and related regional election commissions." The targets included regional election commission offices in Gyeonggi, Incheon, Busan and Daegu.
According to the special counsel team, 75 personnel were deployed for the searches, including one deputy special counsel, six prosecutors and 68 investigators. Of the investigators, 22 are forensic personnel.
The special counsel team plans to secure materials related to the shortage of ballot papers during the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections and other matters through the searches. Regarding the specific targets and items seized, it explained, "As the investigation is currently ongoing, it is difficult to confirm those details," adding, "We will secure the necessary materials in accordance with the law and principles and promptly and thoroughly verify the relevant facts."
The special counsel team formally launched on the 7th and will conduct its investigation for up to 150 days. The special counsel law identifies 12 areas of investigation, including the ballot-paper shortage, allegations of manipulated voting statistics, allegations that National Election Commission officials took overseas trips for personal purposes, and allegations of improper hiring and promotions.   
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