Two candidates shortlisted for special counsel investigating ballot shortages

Two former prosecutors have been chosen as candidates for a special counsel to investigate ballot shortages following the June 3 elections, a bipartisan committee announced. Lee Tae-han and Lee Hyuk, both prosecutor-turned-lawyers, were recommended unanimously by the committee, which comprised representatives from the Korean Bar Association and the Association of Korean Law Schools.

The two individuals will now be recommended to President Lee Jae Myung, who has three days to appoint one of them as special counsel. The chosen special counsel will have a 20-day window to prepare for the investigation, with a full-scale probe anticipated to commence early next month. The investigation will focus on allegations of mishandling ballot papers by the National Election Commission, a process that could extend up to 90 days, with two 30-day extensions possible.