(LEAD) President Lee appoints special counsel to probe ballot shortages

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung has appointed prosecutor-turned-lawyer Lee Tae-han as a special counsel to investigate reported ballot shortages during the June 3 elections. Lee Tae-han, recommended by a bipartisan committee, will have two weeks to prepare for the probe, with a full-scale investigation anticipated to commence early next month.

The investigation team will have up to three months to examine allegations of mismanagement of ballot papers by the National Election Commission, with the timeframe extendable twice by 30 days each. The special counsel emphasized that the probe is intended to resolve doubts impartially, without political influence or bias, stating that they will conduct the investigation in accordance with the law, principles, and objective evidence. The probe aims to lay the groundwork for enhancing the country's election management processes.