Prosecutors Conduct Search and Seizure at Offices of 5 Election Commissions over 'Illegal Hiring' Allegations

The prosecution, investigating allegations of 'recruitment corruption' at the Election Commission, conducted a forced search and seizure on the 22nd by raiding five Election Commission offices.

The Public Investigation Division 1 of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (Chief Prosecutor Lee Hee-dong) sent prosecutors and investigators to the offices of the Central, Seoul, Daejeon, Jeonnam, and Chungbuk Election Commissions on the morning of the same day to secure recruitment-related materials.

Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, Seocho-dong, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Earlier, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission revealed that a full investigation into career recruitment at the Election Commission over the past seven years uncovered a total of 353 suspected cases of recruitment corruption, including 58 cases of fraudulent acceptance.

The Commission reported 28 individuals suspected of intentional or habitual negligent recruitment and requested investigations into 312 cases requiring clarification on family favoritism or illicit solicitations.

The accused include disqualified candidates who did not meet qualification requirements among those accepted, cases suspected of manipulation of evaluation results, and instances where Election Commission work experience was excessively recognized.