Former NEC Chair Noh Tae-ak Under Compulsory Investigation for 'Leisurely Overseas Trips' as Embezzlement Suspect

[Anchor]

The joint investigation team of prosecutors and police, which has been investigating the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections, has launched a compulsory investigation into allegations of leisure-oriented overseas trips involving former National Election Commission (NEC) Chairperson Noh Tae-ak and other NEC officials. The investigation, which began with the aim of clarifying the ballot shortage incident, is gradually expanding its scope.

Reporter Jeon Yeonnam has the story.

[Reporter]

Investigators from the joint investigation team enter the National Election Commission carrying blue boxes.

They have launched a search and seizure operation regarding operational irregularities within the NEC, including allegations that former NEC Chairperson Noh Tae-ak took his spouse on overseas trips.

The targets of the search and seizure include the chairperson's office and budget-related departments. It is reported that the search warrant lists former Chairperson Noh and unnamed NEC staff members as suspects in charges of occupational embezzlement.

However, the residence of former Chairperson Noh was excluded from the search and seizure.

During his tenure, former Chairperson Noh traveled abroad three times with his spouse to countries including Australia and Denmark, with over 160 million won in budget funds spent.

However, as these details were not recorded in reports, the People Power Party raised suspicions of embezzlement and filed a complaint against former Chairperson Noh.

[Noh Tae-ak/Former NEC Chairperson: Everything has been done without error until now, and no objections have been raised, nor have there been any particular questions. I feel deeply apologetic.]

NEC officials who traveled to vacation spots such as the Maldives and Kota Kinabalu between 2022 and last month, under the pretext of learning about election systems, have also been reported for suspected embezzlement.

The joint investigation team plans to summon NEC officials to verify the circumstances surrounding the overseas trips taken by former Chairperson Noh, his spouse, and the staff, once the analysis of the seized materials, including office computers and related documents, is completed.

(Video reporting: Lee Sang-hak, Video editing: Kim Jong-mi)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.