Special prosecutor wraps up 13-hour review of 2.47 million ballots at Olympic Park... “Many to undergo further analysis”

[Financial News] The special prosecutor team investigating various allegations involving the National Election Commission (NEC), including a ballot shortage in the June 3 local elections, completed a voluntary inspection of about 2.47 million ballots stored at the Handball Gymnasium in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, in about 13 hours.

The special prosecutor team said on the 29th that the voluntary ballot inspection began at around 11:49 a.m. the previous day and ended at around 12:38 a.m. on the 29th. More than 110 investigative personnel, including Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han, and 96 observers from the ruling and opposition parties and the National Assembly took part (45 from the Democratic Party of Korea, 40 from the People Power Party, five from the Rebuilding Korea Party and six from the Public Administration and Security Committee). Around 490 police officers maintained order at the site.
On 40 tables, counting staff manually flipped through the ballots one by one, checking them visually for irregularities before confirming the totals with counting machines.
After the inspection, Special Prosecutor Lee said, “Respecting the observers’ objections, we accepted the voluntary submission of all the ballots in a particular box and selected a considerable number of ballots that we believe require further analysis for detailed examination at a later date.” The special prosecutor team plans to conduct further examinations of the initially selected irregular ballots using scientific equipment, including the National Forensic Service’s digital microscopes and infrared spectrometers. Ballots found to be normal will be moved to a separate secure warehouse in the capital region designated by the NEC and stored for the duration of the elected officials’ terms.

The inspection did not proceed smoothly, with friction arising at several points. It had initially been scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., but strong protests from observers over the scope of filming allowed at the site delayed the process by nearly three hours. The special prosecutor team eventually proposed a compromise allowing only two cameras from broadcasters and one observer designated by each of the ruling and opposition parties to film. The substantive inspection did not begin until 1:27 p.m.
At around 6:10 p.m., some observers demanded the right to use their personal recording equipment and raised objections to the condition of the ballots. Voices were raised, and police were deployed. At around 10 p.m., a dispute lasting about an hour arose over the method for counting ballots from Garakbon-dong, Songpa-gu. Observers from the People Power Party demanded a recount, saying, “In the proportional-representation vote count for the Songpa District Council, the Democratic Party of Korea candidate was counted as having 100 more votes than the actual number.” Special Prosecutor Lee rejected the demand, saying he had authority only over ballots selected as targets of the investigation.
The special prosecutor team made clear that the ballot inspection was part of the investigation and not a recount. Therefore, even if irregular ballots are found during this voluntary inspection, it will not affect the election results, including the winners already declared in the local elections or the vote totals.
[email protected] Park Ji-hyun Reporter