[Anchor]

The joint investigation team of prosecutors and police, tasked with uncovering the truth behind the ballot paper shortage, is verifying the reporting chain among election commission officials at the time. The investigation is also expanding into allegations of overseas trips for leisure purposes involving former National Election Commission (NEC) Chairperson Noh Tae-ak and other commission officials.

Report by Jeon Yeonnam.

[Reporter]

The joint investigation team summoned one official from the Gangnam-gu Election Commission and two from the Seocho-gu Election Commission as witnesses for questioning this morning, July 1.

These individuals are working-level staff who received reports on the situation from the polling stations where the ballot shortages occurred.

Based on today's questioning, the joint investigation team plans to focus on identifying how the ballot shortage was grasped and through what channels these officials reported the situation to the city election commission and others, and what instructions they received in response.

Previously, on June 24, the joint investigation team secured mobile phones and other items through search and seizure operations targeting 12 election commission officials.

The investigation into allegations of overseas trips for leisure purposes by former NEC Chairperson Noh Tae-ak and others has also begun in earnest.

Former Chairperson Noh traveled abroad three times, including to Germany and Sweden, accompanied by his spouse. However, these facts were not recorded in the election commission's post-trip reports, leading to allegations of embezzlement.

Following the questioning of the complainant regarding these allegations yesterday, June 30, the joint investigation team plans to question an official from the People Power Party, who filed a complaint on the same charges, tomorrow, July 2.

[Lee Sang-hwi/People Power Party lawmaker (June 17): We are filing this complaint to hold them accountable for the waste of taxpayer money through professional embezzlement, regarding the behavior of the National Election Commission, which went on overseas trips for leisure.]

The joint investigation team, which has received an additional five police personnel, is expanding its investigative capacity by requesting accounting analysis experts from the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to examine the embezzlement allegations and other matters comprehensively.

(Video Editing: Kim Jun-hee)