It has been determined that the search and seizure warrant executed by the joint investigation headquarters on the 23rd—covering the National Election Commission (NEC), local election commissions in Seoul (Songpa, Seocho, and Gangnam), and NEC computer servers—also included materials related to the 21st Presidential Election (2025) as subjects for seizure. [Photo = Yonhap News]

Reports have emerged that the joint investigation headquarters (JIS), which is currently investigating the "ballot paper shortage" during the June 3 fraudulent election, has launched a forced investigation into the National Election Commission (NEC) and relevant local election offices, securing data from past nationwide elections.

According to a report by JTBC on the 29th, the search and seizure warrant executed by the JIS on the 23rd—which targeted the NEC, local election commissions in Seoul (Songpa, Seocho, and Gangnam), and NEC computer servers—was found to have also specified materials related to the 21st Presidential Election (2025).

Furthermore, the JIS has secured materials related to the 8th Nationwide Local Elections (2022) and the 22nd National Assembly Election (2024) through voluntary submission by the NEC.

The JIS is examining past election data to compare and analyze previous ballot management cases by the NEC with the current incident. The rationale is that if similar problems were evident in past elections and the NEC failed to implement adequate measures to prevent recurrence, charges of dereliction of duty could be applied more clearly.

Additionally, they stated that depending on the investigation results, the possibility that the scope of the investigation could be expanded to include all past nationwide elections cannot be ruled out.

Meanwhile, the JIS is conducting an intensive investigation into the circumstances and background behind the decision to reduce the minimum number of printed ballot papers from "60% of local constituents" to "50%" during this year's local elections.

Furthermore, the investigation is gaining momentum as they have conducted their first summons of an official from the Gyeonggi-do Election Commission as a suspect in relation to "allegations of voter turnout manipulation."

Separately, there are various interpretations regarding why JTBC has taken the initiative to report on the fraudulent election. These range from views that it is an act of venting frustration after being cast aside while facing a crisis of losing their broadcasting license—following a history of one-sided reporting favoring the Lee Jae-myung administration—to theories that it is a backlash from internal factions that had previously been suppressed. Other interpretations suggest the influence of cabinet-system proponents who aim to switch to 100% electronic counting by citing the difficulties of election management.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee