NEC employee found dead after special counsel interrogation over ballot shortages

A National Election Commission employee in his 40s was found dead early Wednesday in the flowerbed of an apartment complex in Hwaseong, about 45 km south of Seoul, after being questioned the previous night by a special counsel investigating ballot shortages in last year’s presidential and June 3 local elections. Authorities say a suicide note was left, and police suspect he jumped from his residence. The official had been detained as a suspect for possible obstruction of the bidding process and breach of trust concerning contracts for early-voting ballot boxes and campaign banners.

The special counsel, which launched its inquiry on Sept. 7 and recently raided former NEC chairman Roh Tae-ak’s home, expressed condolences but asserted the suspect reviewed and revised his statement voluntarily, indicating no coercion. The NEC mourned the loss, calling it a tragic outcome of severe psychological distress caused by the ongoing probe. The investigation continues into whether corruption or irregularities contributed to the ballot shortages.