The independent special counsel team led by Lee Tae-han, tasked with investigating the shortage of ballot papers during the June 3 local elections, has launched a full-scale compulsory investigation 10 days after its launch.

Starting around 9:10 a.m. today, the special counsel team dispatched investigation teams to nine locations, including the National Election Commission (NEC) as well as the Gyeonggi, Incheon, Busan, and Daegu election commissions, to conduct raids.

This marks the first time the special counsel team has conducted a search and seizure since its official launch on September 7.

The special counsel team stated, "This is to secure materials related to the shortage of ballot papers and other issues concerning the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections as stipulated in the Special Act on the Election Commission."