Special counsel says 30 local election commissions falsely entered voter turnout data
Professor Lee Sang-jin of Korea University, left, an adviser to a special counsel team investigating allegations surrounding the National Election Commission, and other officials arrive at the election watchdog's headquarters in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap
A special counsel team said Thursday that 30 local election commissions falsely entered voter turnout data during the June 3 local elections.
Special counsel Lee Tae-han's team said its investigation has found false alterations to voter turnout figures by the local commissions after reviewing turnout records and questioning over 70 election workers.
The team sent investigators to the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, as well as six local offices across the country, including in Busan's Nam Ward, to seize evidence related to the allegations.
Lee's team was launched last month to investigate ballot shortages reported across the country during the June elections in addition to allegations of election data manipulation and other misconduct by the election watchdog.