Kim Sun-hwan, Secretary-General of the Committee for the People's Livelihood (Min-wi), enters the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Major Crimes Investigation Division in Gangdong-gu, Seoul, on the 8th to undergo investigation as the complainant in a case alleging dereliction of duty by Election Commission officials in connection with the shortage of ballots in the June 3 local elections. [Yonhap News]

Police have launched a full-scale investigation into the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Major Crimes Investigation Division announced on the morning of the 8th through a press release, "We have secured the chat logs of election workers (messengers) and have investigated public officials mobilized for election duties as well as citizens who were unable to vote due to the ballot shortage."

The printing company responsible for supplying the ballots has also been identified by the police.

The police are also summoning and investigating officials from conservative civic groups who filed a complaint against Noh Tae-ak, Chairperson of the National Election Commission, and others on charges of dereliction of duty, starting this morning.

Kim Sun-hwan, Secretary-General of the Committee for the People's Livelihood (Min-wi), the complainant, told reporters before attending the investigation at the Seoul Gangdong Police Station where the Major Crimes Investigation Division is located, "Chairman Noh's term was originally until March of this year." He argued, "To say the matter is resolved because the chairman resigned is deceiving the public."

He urged a thorough investigation, stating that the Election Commission's act of preparing only 50% of the required ballots for the main election, despite securing a budget for 1.1 times the number of voters, constitutes embezzlement.

Police are confirming whether the Election Commission adhered to its ballot distribution standards and are investigating the overall decision-making process.

Following President Lee Jae-myung's directive yesterday for a thorough investigation, a joint investigation headquarters involving the prosecution and police will soon be established. 

It is expected that personnel from the Major Crimes Investigation Division, which is handling this complaint, will be dispatched to the joint investigation headquarters.

An official from the Major Crimes Investigation Division emphasized, "We will proceed with the necessary investigations more swiftly and in accordance with procedures to ensure the seamless operation of the joint investigation headquarters."