CLOC says it can send only one investigator to Lee Tae-han special prosecution team

The Lee Tae-han National Election Commission special prosecution team requested roughly 10 investigative personnel from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CLOC) to investigate the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, but was told only one could be sent, it was confirmed on the 5th. The special prosecution team is struggling to secure investigative personnel.

The team visited CLOC in person on the 23rd of last month to request about 10 investigators. Among them, seven, including investigators, were identified by name, while the rest were left to CLOC's discretion. CLOC sent an official letter to the team the previous day saying it would be difficult to dispatch all of the requested personnel due to internal circumstances. The letter stated that only one investigator, chosen at its own discretion, could be dispatched. The special prosecution team is reported to have again demanded the dispatch of the named investigators.

Under the NEC Special Prosecutor Act, the special prosecution team may request support from relevant agencies of up to 20 dispatched prosecutors and 70 dispatched officials excluding prosecutors. However, only 18 prosecutors have been dispatched to the team so far, falling short of its quota of 20. It is known that even senior prosecutors have been assigned to tasks such as transporting seized materials, and some personnel have required medical treatment for overwork or injuries sustained on the job.