The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Forms Investigation Team for 'Election Commission Preferential Hiring'... One Month Intensive Investigation

The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) has begun a focused investigation into allegations of preferential hiring of children of senior officials at the National Election Commission (NEC).

Jeong Seung-yoon, Vice Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee at the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, is holding a briefing on June 1 at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, regarding the 'Comprehensive Investigation Launch' related to the 'Election Commission's Child Preferential Hiring Allegations.' Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 1st, Jeong Seung-yoon, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the ACRC, stated at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, "We started a full-scale investigation today regarding the NEC hiring allegations," adding, "We will organize a large-scale 'Dedicated Investigation Team for Hiring Corruption' centered on the ACRC’s Integrated Report Center for Hiring Corruption." Dozens of personnel from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Examination Protection Bureau are expected to be deployed to the dedicated investigation team.

Vice Chairman Jeong said, "We have already coordinated with the NEC in advance," and "The investigation has commenced as the relevant materials have arrived." He added, "As the responsible vice chairman, I will take full responsibility and ensure a thorough investigation to the end."

The ACRC plans to conduct an intensive investigation for one month and will carry out additional investigations if necessary. Furthermore, the investigation will be conducted solely by the ACRC, not jointly with the NEC, in accordance with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission Act. On the previous day, Noh Tae-ak, Chairman of the NEC, stated at a briefing following an internal NEC meeting, "We will conduct a full-scale investigation of the familial relationships of current and former employees jointly with external agencies."

Vice Chairman Jeong emphasized, "The NEC should not refuse or obstruct the ACRC’s investigation, which was decided by the people, under the pretext of independence," and added, "I am not sure what the NEC meant by using the term 'joint investigation.'"

Regarding concerns about political neutrality, he expressed that there is no issue. On the 30th of last month, Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairwoman of the ACRC, stated at a separate press conference that political neutrality should be ensured by having both the chairman appointed by the previous administration and the vice chairman appointed by the current government participate or be excluded from duties accordingly. Vice Chairman Jeong said, "What political discrimination is there in investigating the NEC? Our commission is an independent organization," and added, "The former chairman’s remarks seem to have caused misunderstandings."

He also noted, "There was some confusion because the former chairman held a press conference before the NEC’s position was announced," and said, "Today’s announcement is content shared and confirmed by both the former chairman and ACRC staff."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.