Officials from the joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, who are investigating the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections, are seen leaving the Songpa District Election Commission in Seoul after completing a search and seizure on the 11th. [Yonhap News]

The joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, formed to uncover the truth behind the "ballot paper shortage incident" in the June 3 local elections, concluded their search and seizure operations at the National Election Commission and other related offices after approximately 13 hours on the 11th.

The investigation headquarters, which began its search and seizure at 9 a.m. on the same day, announced around 10 p.m., "The joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, established to uncover the truth about the infringement of citizens' right to participate in politics, has concluded all search and seizure operations except for the seizure of electronic information stored on the National Election Commission's servers." They added, "We will conduct swift investigations, including the analysis of the seized materials and the questioning of relevant individuals, to rigorously ascertain the facts of the incident."

According to Yonhap News, the investigation headquarters secured documents such as ballot paper printing plans, meeting minutes, budget proposals, and files related to the local elections from the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission office in Jongno-gu.

It is also reported that ballot records detailing the storage location, quantity, and remaining number of ballot papers on election day were secured from the Gangnam District Election Commission.

The ballot records contain information on the storage location, quantity, and remaining number of ballot papers.

The investigation headquarters also conducted forensic analysis on files related to the June 3 local elections from the computers of executives and operational staff, including department heads and employees, at various regional election commissions.

Officials from the joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, who are investigating the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections, are seen loading seized items into a vehicle after completing a search and seizure at the Songpa District Election Commission in Seoul on the 11th. [Yonhap News]

Earlier on the same day, the investigation headquarters conducted searches and seizures at seven locations, including the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, the Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission, and the Election Commissions of Songpa, Seocho, Gangnam, Gwangjin, and Dongjak districts, where the ballot paper shortage occurred. The investigations were conducted on suspicion of violations of the Public Official Election Act, dereliction of duty, embezzlement, and breach of trust.

The search and seizure operations involved three prosecutors, about ten prosecution investigators, and approximately 100 police officers.

The warrants named a total of about 10 individuals as suspects, including Noh Tae-hak, former Chairman of the National Election Commission, Heo Cheol-hoon, former Secretary-General, and the chairmen and secretaries-general of various regional election commissions.

Based on the printing plans, meeting minutes, and budget documents secured on this day, the investigation headquarters is expected to examine whether there was intentional action or negligence on the part of the Election Commission that led to the ballot paper shortage, and whether there were any indications of embezzlement of funds.

In particular, regarding violations of the Public Official Election Act, the investigation headquarters plans to focus on whether Election Commission officials used their positions to exert undue influence on the election or obstructed the freedom of elections through fraudulent means.

However, to apply such charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, the 'intent' must be proven.

A legal expert specializing in election law explained, "Articles 85 and others of the Public Official Election Act center on proving whether public officials intentionally obstructed the freedom of elections through improper methods with political intent." He added, "If it is revealed that some members intentionally interfered (with election management), they can be subject to criminal punishment."

Seoul Metropolitan Election Commission Search and Seizure Concluded [Seoul=Yonhap News]

The police are expected to investigate the case of the lost ballot paper box at the second polling station in Jamsil 7-dong, Songpa-gu.

On the same day, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency received a criminal complaint from a citizen requesting an investigation into officials from the National and regional Election Commissions, as well as employees of a recycling company, on charges of dereliction of duty and destruction of evidence for losing the storage box.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency is expected to review the complaint and assign the case to an investigation team.

Meanwhile, subtle tension was observed between the prosecution and the police regarding the investigation into the ballot paper shortage incident.

The police, who first received the complaint and initiated the investigation into this incident, referred to the joint investigation headquarters as the "Police-Prosecution Joint Investigation Headquarters" in their press releases. This led to criticism within legal circles, questioning the accuracy of referring to it as "Police-Prosecution" when the headquarters was established at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office and its head is the third deputy chief prosecutor of the Central District Prosecutors' Office.