NEC special prosecutor sends cooperation letter to National Assembly for Olympic Park ballot-counting site inspection

The special prosecutor investigating allegations against the National Election Commission — including a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections — has sent a cooperation letter to the National Assembly requesting a forensic inspection of the Olympic Park ballot-counting site in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where the shortage was most acute. The NEC special prosecutor's office also plans to conduct non-destructive testing on any ballots found to be irregular.

The NEC special prosecutor sent the letter Wednesday afternoon to the National Assembly's special committee on the NEC investigation, outlining a detailed plan for a forensic inspection of the Olympic Park ballot-counting facility in Jamsil, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

The special prosecutor's office said it plans to deploy about 10 investigators, including prosecutors and investigators, to examine approximately 2.47 million ballots and ballot boxes stored at the site. If irregular ballots are found, the office said it will examine them using optical equipment and other non-destructive testing methods.

Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties had tentatively agreed to extend the special committee's mandate by one month and proceed with a public recount at the Olympic Park site on Aug. 18, but the plan was delayed after some opposition party committee members insisted the process be conducted with the NEC special prosecutor present.