Police Prioritize Swift Election Crime Resolution
Law enforcement agencies are accelerating investigations into offenses related to the recent 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections, held on June 3rd. This intensified focus appears to be a response to concerns that some cases might not reach a conclusion before the official closing of election crime investigations on November 29th. The urgency is compounded by the planned restructuring of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in October.
Dedicated Task Force to Oversee Cases
Park Sung-ju, Deputy Director of the National Investigation Headquarters at the National Police Agency, announced on the 8th that a special task force has been established to manage election crime investigations. “The police are operating a focused investigation period for election-related offenses to ensure prompt and responsible handling,” Park stated during a press briefing. “We are committed to investigating all cases swiftly, responsibly, and without oversight.”
Park further detailed the plan, explaining that a preliminary on-site inspection of cases will be completed by September 2nd, three months prior to the investigation deadline. This initial review will be led by the main office and regional offices.
“For cases requiring prosecution, we will rigorously manage and meticulously investigate them according to investigation guidelines, ensuring cooperation proceeds smoothly to facilitate the fastest possible transfer of cases, considering the time required for prosecutorial review,” he added.
Joint Investigation with Prosecutors Underway
Regarding the issue of insufficient ballot papers during the June 3rd local elections, the police are actively pursuing the formation of a joint investigation unit with prosecutors. Discussions are currently in progress to establish this collaborative body.
Additionally, the police are verifying facts with individuals who were unable to vote due to allegations of false reporting and ballot shortages. This includes eligible voters, election officials, and representatives from printing companies involved.
“We are diligently proceeding with the necessary procedures according to the investigation roadmap to ensure the joint investigation unit, once formed, can operate without obstruction,” Deputy Director Park explained. “The specific scale and operational methods will be determined through discussions with prosecutors, a process expected to take approximately one to two days.”
Current Investigation Statistics
As of the latest update, the police are investigating a total of 2,694 election crime cases involving 4,402 individuals. Of these, 289 individuals have been transferred to prosecutors, 8 have been arrested, and investigations are ongoing for the remaining 3,538 individuals.
