Lee Tae-han, the special prosecutor investigating the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, has initiated a request for additional special investigators.
According to legal sources on August 30, the special prosecutor recently asked the Korean Bar Association to recommend suitable candidates for the role of special investigator.
In response to this request, the Bar Association sent a formal notice to its members on August 28, titled 'Request for Recommendations and Support for Special Investigators to Investigate Allegations of Voter Rights Violations Related to the June 9 Local Election Ballot Shortage.' The notice states that recommendations and applications will be accepted until September 1.
Currently, the special prosecutor's team consists of three dispatched prosecutors, five special investigators, and six police officers, totaling 14 personnel. The team has also recently selected 10 candidates for the position of deputy special prosecutor and requested their appointment from President Lee Jae-myung. The special prosecutor's office is expected to expand to approximately 165 members, including five deputy special prosecutors and 70 special investigators.
The special prosecutor has also sent a formal request for cooperation to the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Agency to deploy 20 prosecutors and over 60 investigative personnel by September 4. Previously, the special prosecutor visited the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office, and the National Police Agency to seek assistance. They also reached out to the Bar Association and the Seoul Bar Association to request recommendations for investigators.
The special prosecutor's office has set up its office in the The Base Building in Seocho-dong, Seoul, and plans to review digital case records and establish an investigation plan before officially commencing operations on September 7.
Earlier, on August 18, President Lee Jae-myung appointed Lee Tae-han, a non-standing member of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, as the special prosecutor for the Election Commission. Born in 1966, Lee graduated from Kyungnam High School and Korea University Law School, passed the 33rd Judicial Examination, and completed the 23rd Judicial Research and Training Institute.
Lee began his career as a prosecutor in 1994 and has held various positions, including head of the Busan District Prosecutor's Office's trial division, head of the Ulsan District Prosecutor's Office's special investigation division, and head of the Seoul Southern District Prosecutor's Office's trial litigation division and criminal division 4. He was also considered a candidate for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials established during the Moon Jae-in administration.
The special prosecutor will conduct investigations for 90 days after a preparation period of up to 20 days. If necessary, the investigation period can be extended twice for 30 days each.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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