The joint investigation team probing the voting paper shortage during the June 3 local elections is intensifying its efforts by questioning officials from the Election Commission. After completing witness interviews and analyzing seized materials, the investigation will expand to higher-ranking officials. Meanwhile, police are investigating 57 cases of illegal activities related to the protest at the Jamshil counting center.
According to legal sources on the 29th, the joint investigation team is set to question one official from the Songpa District Election Commission, which managed polling stations in the Jamshil 7-dong area where the voting paper shortage occurred. Additionally, six local government employees who worked at the affected polling stations will also be investigated.
The team is focused on uncovering the facts surrounding the voting paper shortage through witness interviews and material analysis.
On the second day of its operation, the team conducted searches at seven locations, including the Central Election Commission and the Seoul Election Commission. On the 24th, they seized materials from the offices and mobile phones of 12 officials from the Seoul and Songpa District Election Commissions. They are reconstructing the events of that day by summoning election management personnel and examining whether the Election Commission's response was appropriate.
After concluding the reconstruction of the day's events, the investigation is expected to proceed to higher-ranking officials, including former Central Election Commission Chairman Noh Tae-ak and former Secretary-General Heo Cheol-hoon.
The People Power Party's Media Special Committee has also initiated an investigation into allegations of misuse of funds related to overseas trips by Election Commission officials. They claim that in September 2023, officials spent Election Commission funds under the pretext of observing the Maldives presidential election. Investigations of the complainants related to these allegations are scheduled for July 2.
Meanwhile, the protest at the Olympic Park Handball Stadium, which served as the Jamshil counting center, has now entered its 25th day. According to real-time city data from Seoul, the number of citizens near Olympic Park reached a peak of 8,000 as of 11 a.m. that day, with 24.6% of attendees aged 60 and older. The rally continues to chant slogans of "fraudulent election, re-election."
A Seoul police official stated, "We have initiated investigations into a total of 58 illegal activities related to the Jamshil counting center, with one case concluded, leaving 57 ongoing investigations. A total of 139 individuals are under investigation."
Nine individuals have been charged with obstructing the work of organizations under the Korean Sports Council, with two identified by police. In connection with the illegal search of the Olympic women's handball team, five individuals have been identified.
Six individuals have been charged with assaulting journalists, with five identified, while 11 investigations are ongoing regarding insults to police officers and obstruction of official duties.
The police have requested the deletion of 286 instances of false information dissemination, with 148 cases confirmed deleted as of that morning.
A Seoul police official emphasized the need to comprehensively review the unique situation of citizens gathering individually to express their concerns about the infringement of voting rights, stating, "However, we will respond strictly to illegal acts that obstruct legitimate access to facilities, hinder media coverage, or assault citizens."
Since the protest began on the 5th, the police have deployed over 200 mobile units to the area in front of the handball stadium. These units are expected to remain on-site until the situation stabilizes.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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