Exclusive: Special prosecutor in NEC probe summons superior of official found dead, pushing back on coercive-interrogation allegations

The special prosecutor investigating allegations of misconduct at the National Election Commission — including a ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections — has summoned the superior of an NEC official who was found dead after being questioned on bid-rigging charges, it has been learned.

The special prosecution team led by Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han recently demanded that A, a section chief at the NEC's Election Infrastructure Division, appear for questioning as a suspect on bid-rigging charges. The summons came after B, an official under A's supervision in the same division, was found dead on Oct. 21 — the day after being questioned as a suspect.

The Election Infrastructure Division handles the development of election equipment and supplies. The special prosecution team is examining whether A and B, both assigned to the division, colluded with election equipment and supplies vendors and provided preferential treatment in the contracting process. The team is particularly looking into the connection between the two officials and C, a former head of the NEC's political parties division who now runs businesses involved in election equipment manufacturing and sales as well as election services.

A's side, responding to the summons, has said the existing investigation team should be replaced given the circumstances surrounding B's death. A's representatives have also demanded that any questioning take place in a location where video recording is possible.

The special prosecution team questioned B on Oct. 20 on bid-rigging charges and secured materials including work logs. B was found dead the following day in a flower bed at an apartment complex in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, triggering allegations of coercive interrogation by the special prosecution team.

B's side has claimed the special prosecution team coerced testimony after having already decided on a conclusion. After B's death became known, the NEC issued a statement saying it would "engage responsibly in necessary investigative procedures" and urged the special prosecutor to ensure that the rights of NEC employees are not violated during the investigation.

On Oct. 23, the special prosecution team said it had reviewed B's note to prevent unnecessary controversy, and that it contained no indication of coercive questioning. "On the contrary, it included content saying the special prosecution should not be blamed, as well as remarks pointing to problems within the NEC organization," the team said. "We will conduct the investigation based on objective materials such as work logs with detailed records already in them, and do our utmost to determine who bears responsibility."

The special prosecution team has also placed a North Gyeongsang Province-based company where C had served as an executive under investigation. That company is headed by the spouse of the representative of another North Gyeongsang Province-based firm, and the team is examining the connections between C and both companies. Investigators are also looking into whether the companies issued false tax invoices in the course of entering into contracts with the NEC.

The special prosecution team has expanded its investigation to include allegations of collusion between the NEC and a specific vendor in connection with a 5 billion won ($3.73 million) project to supply polling station equipment sets. On Oct. 14, the team raided five locations, including the NEC headquarters and election supplies companies in Gimpo and Daegu.

Also under investigation are allegations that more than 14 billion won worth of equipment was delivered in full — including substandard machines — after officials approved items as passing even after confirming that more than half of the devices subject to delivery had failed benchmark performance tests. On Friday, the special prosecution team raided the homes of current and former NEC commissioners and employees on charges including breach of trust.