What will Lee Tae-han’s special counsel team check during its examination of the local election ballots?

The team plans to inspect the 2.47 million ballots and other equipment at the counting center for irregularities such as possible forgery. Observers chosen by the National Assembly, lawmakers and journalists are to be present.

Why is the special counsel examining ballots from South Korea’s June 3 local elections?

The examination is part of an investigation into ballot shortages that left some voters unable to cast their votes and sparked a public outcry. The team said it aims to investigate suspicions and address public skepticism about election fairness and management.

Is the special counsel’s ballot examination a recount of the June 3 election results?

No. The team said the examination is not a recount; a recount takes place when someone objects to election results. The planned inspection is intended to check ballots and equipment for possible irregularities.

Special counsel to inspect 2.5 mil. ballots in local elections shortage probe

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Summary

Special counsel Lee Tae-han’s team will examine ballots at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium this week as part of its probe into shortages during the June 3 local elections. The team plans to inspect 2.47 million ballots and other equipment on Wednesday for possible irregularities, including forgery, with observers present. It said the examination is not a recount. The investigation also covers allegations involving the National Election Commission, including manipulation of voter turnout data.

Key Facts

Observers chosen by the National Assembly, lawmakers and journalists are expected to be present during the examination.
The gymnasium served as a vote counting center during the local elections.
Some voters were forced to turn back without casting their votes during the elections, prompting a public outcry.
The special counsel team has a 150-day mandate to investigate the allegations.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 26, 2026 10:37 am KST

Special counsel Lee Tae-han arrives at the Serious Crime Investigation Agency in central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

A special counsel team said Monday it plans to examine about 2.5 million ballots at a vote counting center this week as part of its probe into ballot shortages during the June 3 local elections.

Special counsel Lee Tae-han's team will carry out the examination Wednesday at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium, which served as a vote counting center during the local elections marred by the shortages.

The team plans to verify the 2.47 million ballots and other equipment at the site to check for irregularities, such as possible forgery, in the presence of observers chosen by the National Assembly, lawmakers and journalists.

The team said the examination will not serve as a recount of the votes, which takes place when there is an objection to election results.

"By thoroughly investigating various suspicions in this examination, we will do our best to resolve the public's skepticism on the fairness and management of public elections," the team said.

Lee's team was launched last month to investigate the shortages that sparked a major public outcry after some voters were forced to turn back without casting their votes.

Under a 150-day investigation mandate, his team is also tasked with investigating other allegations faced by the National Election Commission, such as manipulation of voter turnout data.

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