The special counsel team led by Lee Tae-han, investigating the ballot shortage incident from the June 3 local elections, has taken measures to extend the travel ban on former National Election Commission Chairperson Roh Tae-ak.

The Ministry of Justice recently extended the existing travel ban on the former chairperson following a request from the special counsel team.

Roh had already been banned from leaving the country at the request of the joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police, which investigated the case prior to the launch of the special counsel team, and this measure was extended at the request of the special counsel team.

Roh, who served concurrently as the National Election Commission chairperson from 2022 until the recent local elections, is a suspect booked on charges including violations of the Public Official Election Act and dereliction of duty in connection with the ballot shortage incident.

As the shortage of ballots during the local elections led to an infringement on voters' rights, Roh resigned on June 5, two days after the election, stating he would take responsibility.

In addition, former Chairperson Roh Tae-ak is facing allegations of taking "sightseeing-style overseas trips," having accompanied his spouse on three overseas business trips in total during his tenure as NEC chairperson, covering Australia and New Zealand, Germany and Estonia, and Denmark and Sweden.

The special counsel team, which officially launched on September 7, accelerated its coercive investigation by conducting raids on September 17 on a total of 10 locations, including the National Election Commission and nine regional election commissions.

(Photo: Yonhap News)