Special counsel to inspect 2.5 mil. ballots in local elections shortage probe

Special counsel Lee Tae-han’s team will examine ballots at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium this week as part of its probe into shortages during the June 3 local elections. The team plans to inspect 2.47 million ballots and other equipment on Wednesday for possible irregularities, including forgery, with observers present. It said the examination is not a recount. The investigation also covers allegations involving the National Election Commission, including manipulation of voter turnout data.

Observers chosen by the National Assembly, lawmakers and journalists are expected to be present during the examination.

The gymnasium served as a vote counting center during the local elections.

Some voters were forced to turn back without casting their votes during the elections, prompting a public outcry.

The special counsel team has a 150-day mandate to investigate the allegations.

Published Oct 26, 2026 10:37 am KST

Special counsel Lee Tae-han arrives at the Serious Crime Investigation Agency in central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

A special counsel team said Monday it plans to examine about 2.5 million ballots at a vote counting center this week as part of its probe into ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.

Special counsel Lee Tae-han's team will carry out the examination Wednesday at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, which served as a vote counting center during the local elections marred by the shortages.

The team plans to verify the 2.47 million ballots and other equipment at the site to check for irregularities, such as possible forgery, in the presence of observers chosen by the National Assembly, lawmakers and journalists.

The team said the examination will not serve as a recount of the votes, which takes place when there is an objection to election results.

"By thoroughly investigating various suspicions in this examination, we will do our best to resolve the public's skepticism on the fairness and management of public elections," the team said.

Lee's team was launched last month to investigate the shortages that sparked a major public outcry after some voters were forced to turn back without casting their votes.

Under a 150-day investigation mandate, his team is also tasked with investigating other allegations faced by the National Election Commission, such as manipulation of voter turnout data.

特别检察官李泰汉的团队本周将在奥林匹克公园手球馆检查选票，这是其对6月3日地方选举选票短缺问题调查的一部分。该团队计划于周三在观察员的监督下，检查247万张选票和其他设备，以查找可能存在的违规行为，包括伪造。该团队表示，此次检查并非重新计票。调查还涵盖了对国家选举委员会的指控，包括操纵选民投票率数据。

预计由国民议会选出的观察员、议员和记者将在考试期间到场。

在地方选举期间，体育馆被用作计票中心。

选举期间，一些选民被迫放弃投票而返回，引发了公众的强烈抗议。

特别检察官小组的任务期限为150天，负责调查这些指控。

发布于2026年10月26日上午10:37（韩国标准时间）

特别检察官李泰汉周五抵达位于首尔市中心的重案调查厅。（韩联社）

一个特别检察官小组周一表示，作为对6月3日地方选举期间选票短缺情况调查的一部分，他们计划本周在一个计票中心检查约250万张选票。

特别检察官李泰汉的团队将于周三在奥林匹克公园手球体育馆进行调查，该体育馆在因物资短缺而陷入混乱的地方选举期间曾被用作计票中心。

该团队计划在国民议会选出的观察员、立法者和记者在场的情况下，核实现场的 247 万张选票和其他设备，以检查是否存在违规行为，例如可能的伪造行为。

该团队表示，此次审查不会起到重新计票的作用，重新计票是在对选举结果提出异议时进行的。

“通过对本次审查中各种疑点的彻底调查，我们将尽最大努力消除公众对公共选举的公平性和管理方面的疑虑，”该小组表示。

李的团队上个月成立，旨在调查因选票短缺而引发的公众强烈抗议事件，当时一些选民被迫放弃投票。

根据 150 天的调查授权，他的团队还负责调查国家选举委员会面临的其他指控，例如操纵选民投票率数据。