South Korea police open probe into ballot shortage

June 8 (Asia Today) -- South Korean police began a formal investigation Monday into a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, starting with questioning a complainant who accused election officials of dereliction of duty and abuse of authority.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's serious crimes unit questioned a representative of the Seomin Livelihood Measures Committee at 9:30 a.m. The group filed a complaint on election day against Roh Tae-ak, chairman of the National Election Commission and other officials on charges of dereliction of duty and abuse of authority.

The group filed another complaint Wednesday, adding allegations of occupational embezzlement and breach of trust.

Six other civic groups, including the Speculative Capital Monitoring Center, the National Solidarity, the Justice Solidarity and the Mugunghwa Club for Legal Democratization, also filed similar complaints with the National Office of Investigation through the government's online petition system.

Police are expected to examine whether the election commission followed proper standards and procedures for distributing ballots. Investigators are also expected to review whether problems occurred in estimating, printing and delivering ballots and whether there were flaws in the commission's decision-making process.

Police are considering questioning working-level officials to determine what happened during the ballot preparation and distribution process. Investigators will review the complaints and related materials to determine whether criminal charges can be established.

A joint investigation team involving prosecutors and police is also expected to take shape soon.

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday ordered a thorough investigation into the ballot shortage and instructed authorities to form a joint prosecution-police investigation team. The team is expected to include police already handling the complaints as well as prosecutors and police officers specializing in election-related cases.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260608010002322

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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 4:07 PM.