Ahead of the launch of the special prosecutor team to investigate the ballot paper shortage incident during the June 3 local elections, the joint police-prosecution investigation team is accelerating its final probe.

The joint police-prosecution investigation team for uncovering the truth behind the infringement of citizens' right to vote (headed by Kim Tae-hoon, the 3rd Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office) is summoning the head of the secretariat of the Seocho-gu Election Commission today (August 19) to question him as a suspect regarding the ballot paper shortage.

Regarding the vote statistics manipulation incident, an official from the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission is scheduled to attend and be questioned as a reference witness.

Reference questioning of two officials from the National Election Commission is also scheduled in connection with allegations of sightseeing overseas business trips.

The joint investigation team plans to continue scheduled questioning through this week while simultaneously preparing to transfer the case to the special prosecutor, including organizing seized items, suspect and witness statements, and reviewing dispatched personnel.

Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han, who was appointed yesterday, will also pay a courtesy visit to the joint investigation team at 1 p.m. today to begin official activities.

The special prosecutor is expected to meet with Deputy Chief Prosecutor Kim Tae-hoon, who heads the joint investigation team, to discuss case transfer and dispatched personnel, and to request cooperation for the special counsel investigation.

Special Prosecutor Lee will investigate a total of 12 allegations, including the local election ballot paper shortage and vote statistics manipulation, as well as sightseeing business trips by Election Commission officials, preferential treatment in illegal hiring and promotions, and preferential treatment in private contracts and collusion with companies.

The special prosecutor team can be formed with up to 165 members, including 5 assistant special prosecutors and 20 dispatched prosecutors.

Under the Election Commission Special Prosecutor Act, Special Prosecutor Lee will investigate suspicions related to the Election Commission for a maximum of 150 days following a 20-day preparation period.

(Photo: Yonhap News)