▲ Lee Tae-han, the special counsel leading the investigation into the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, answers questions from reporters as he arrives at the temporary special counsel office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 24th.
Lee Tae-han, the special counsel investigating the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, announced that he plans to recommend candidates for assistant special counsels to the presidential office by this afternoon (the 25th).
Speaking to reporters before visiting Cho Soon-yeol, president of the Seoul Bar Association, in Seocho-gu, Seoul, this morning, Special Counsel Lee said, "The Korean Bar Association is scheduled to send a meticulously selected list of candidates to the special counsel's office this morning," adding, "After finalizing the personnel selection this afternoon, we plan to submit a list of 10 candidates to the presidential office today."
He also plans to officially launch preparation work this week by receiving dispatched personnel from the Ministry of Justice and the police.
He noted that preparations to receive investigative records from the joint investigation headquarters of the prosecution and police are in their final stages.
"We have been notified of the exact page count as all the records from the joint investigation headquarters have been compiled," Special Counsel Lee said. "Since simply receiving the records and re-reviewing them would be quite inefficient and burdensome in terms of time, we have requested that they organize and transfer the materials in the form of interim investigation reports categorized by subject."
Special Counsel Lee has been commuting to the temporary office set up at The Base Seocho Building in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, since yesterday to conduct personnel selection for internal dispatched staff.
As the National Assembly's Special Committee on State Investigation has requested the special counsel's observation of the on-site verification at the Olympic Park counting center, related procedures and legal grounds are also under review.
During his meeting with Cho Soon-yeol today, Special Counsel Lee also requested assistance in recruiting special investigators.
"There is a considerable demand for special investigators," Lee said. "I visited to pay my respects upon taking office and to ask for help in recruiting capable investigators."
Previously, Special Counsel Lee appointed Ha Jong-chan, former head of general affairs at the Seoul Northern District Prosecutors' Office, as the head of the investigation support unit, which will handle the practical and administrative work of the investigation team.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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