The National Election Commission's special prosecutor requested that 10 people be dispatched... Heavy Water Administration replied “1 person available”

(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Choi Yun-seon = The Special Prosecutor Team of the National Election Commission, Lee Tae-han, who is investigating the shortage of ballot papers for the June 3 local elections, requested the Serious Crimes Investigation Office (Central Investigation Agency) to dispatch up to 10 investigative personnel, but it was found that the Central Investigation Agency responded, "Only one person can be dispatched."

According to the legal community on the 5th, the Central Investigation Agency sent an official letter to the special prosecutor's team the previous day stating, "Due to internal circumstances, it is difficult to dispatch all requested personnel."

Previously, Special Prosecutor Lee Tae-han visited the Central Investigation Agency on the 23rd of last month and requested that about 10 investigative personnel be dispatched.

Afterwards, the special prosecution team identified the names of seven people, including the investigator, and requested them from the Central Investigation Agency, leaving the remaining two at the discretion of the Central Investigation Agency.

Accordingly, the Central Investigation Agency sent an official letter stating that only one investigator arbitrarily selected can be dispatched.

It was confirmed that the special prosecution team again requested the dispatch of the seven people whose names were specified that day.

According to the National Election Commission Special Prosecutor Act, the special prosecutor may, if necessary, request manpower support from the Public Prosecution Service, the Corruption Investigation Office, and the Central Investigation Agency.

Currently, there are a total of 18 prosecutors dispatched to the special prosecution team, which is less than the maximum number of 20.

With the Prosecutor's Office abolished on the 2nd of last month and the Central Investigation Office and the Public Prosecution Office launched, there is a serious shortage of investigative manpower.

In addition, as the special prosecution bill on fabricated indictments was submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly on this day, it is expected that a significant number of investigative personnel will be needed for the special prosecution on fabricated indictments.

The National Election Commission's special prosecution team plans to continue discussions by requesting the dispatch of additional personnel from the Public Prosecution Service and the Ministry of Justice, in addition to the Central Investigation Agency.