Special Counsel Raids Former Election Watchdog Chief’s Home Over Overseas Trips

A special counsel team searched the home of former National Election Commission chief Roh Tae-ak on Wednesday as investigators widened a probe into alleged irregularities at South Korea’s election watchdog.

The team led by special counsel Lee Tae-han seized a mobile phone and other evidence during the search. Investigators are examining allegations that Roh used commission funds to take his wife on three overseas business trips while he headed the agency.

Roh served as chair of the National Election Commission from May 2022 until June 2026. He stepped down after widespread ballot shortages disrupted the June 3 local elections, an episode that prompted scrutiny of the commission’s management and operations. Roh previously served as a justice of the Supreme Court.

The special counsel said the home search followed the discovery of alleged false statements in official reports prepared by a commission employee about the results of the overseas trips. Authorities are investigating whether the reports accurately described the employee’s activities and the purpose of the travel.

A joint prosecution-police task force had previously obtained evidence and testimony indicating that an election commission employee was assigned to assist Roh’s wife during the trips. The trip reports instead described the employee as attending official events alongside Roh, according to investigators.

Twelve officials took part in the search, including two prosecutors and seven investigators. The warrant cited suspected embezzlement, falsification of official documents and use of falsified official documents. The allegations remain under investigation, and the search itself does not establish criminal liability.

It was the first search of Roh’s residence in connection with the case. Investigators also conducted a separate search at the National Election Commission’s headquarters earlier Wednesday.

The special counsel operation began last month and is examining both the ballot shortages during the local elections and other suspected misconduct involving the commission. The latest searches indicate that the inquiry now includes the use of public money, the accuracy of internal records and the conduct of senior officials during overseas travel.

The National Election Commission is constitutionally independent and oversees elections and referendums in South Korea. The expanding investigation places renewed attention on accountability within an institution whose credibility is central to public confidence in the electoral process.