Elections & Democracy
South Korean election commission searched over alleged false turnout figures
South Korean investigators searched the National Election Commission on Thursday as part of a probe into alleged false voter turnout figures in June local elections, a spokesman for investigators said.
The spokesman said a special team of police and prosecutors searched NEC offices after finding indications that officials from the National Election Commission and the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission had entered false turnout figures during the local elections. He said searches and seizures involving those concerned were also being carried out.
Dozens of polling stations experienced ballot paper shortages during the June 3 nationwide vote, which was the first since President Lee Jae Myung took office last year. The controversy led to the resignation of NEC chief Roh Tae-ak and demonstrations calling for an election re-run.
Update
The source says dozens of polling stations had ballot paper shortages during the June 3 nationwide local vote.
The source says the controversy led to the resignation of National Election Commission chief Roh Tae-ak and demonstrations demanding an election re-run.
The investigators' spokesman identified officials from the National Election Commission and the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission as being under scrutiny over alleged false turnout entries.
The source says investigators were also carrying out searches and seizures involving those concerned.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 03:08:20 UTC.
Update
Investigators said the raid took place on Thursday.
The probe concerns June local elections.
Investigators said officials from the National Election Commission and the Gyeonggi Provincial Election Commission were suspected of entering false voter turnout figures.
A special investigation team of police and prosecutors said searches and seizures were being carried out against people involved.
Source note: AFP news report published on 23 July 2026 at 02:30:17 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
The source reports indications of false turnout entries; it does not say the alleged falsification has been proven.
Source
AFP news report published on .