The joint investigation team of prosecutors and police, led by Kim Tae-hoon, the third deputy chief prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, is continuing its investigation into the ballot paper shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections.

Starting today, July 1, the joint investigation team is summoning one official from the Gangnam-gu Election Commission and two officials from the Seocho-gu Election Commission for questioning as witnesses.

The team is focusing on determining how the election commission officials, who were notified of the ballot shortages at polling stations, reported the situation internally and what instructions they received.

The joint investigation team conducted raids on 12 National Election Commission (NEC) officials on June 24. Since then, they have been summoning these individuals one by one to reconstruct the reporting channels and response measures taken on election day.

The investigation into allegations of overseas junkets by former NEC Chairperson Roh Tae-ak and others is also nearing a critical stage.

During his tenure, former Chairperson Roh traveled abroad to countries including Germany and Sweden on three occasions accompanied by his spouse. Allegations of embezzlement have been raised as these instances of accompaniment were not recorded in the NEC's post-trip reports.

The joint investigation team questioned the complainant regarding these allegations yesterday, June 30, and plans to summon an official from the People Power Party's Media Special Committee, who filed a complaint on the same charges, tomorrow, July 2.

Efforts to reinforce the joint investigation team's personnel are also gaining momentum.

Previously, President Lee Jae-myung mentioned the need for an investigation into the overall internal operations of the NEC during a cabinet meeting and expressed the opinion that the current team of about 30 personnel should be expanded.

To begin with, five police investigators are set to join the joint investigation team today.

The team is currently in discussions with the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutors' Office regarding the additional dispatch of prosecutors and investigative officers, while the police are also conducting internal recruitment to find additional personnel to dispatch.

(Photo: Yonhap News)