Court rejects search warrant in South Korea election commission allowance probe
In short
Seoul Central District Court rejected a search-warrant request on October 14 in an investigation into allowances paid to National Election Commission members, including senior judges. The special prosecutor said the team would seek a new warrant.
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Seoul Central District Court rejected a search-warrant request in an investigation into activity allowances paid to National Election Commission members, including former and current senior judges, the special prosecutor's team said on October 14. Investigators requested the warrant on October 12 to collect evidence from the commission and other locations. The court rejected it around 14:00 on October 14. [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]
The team is examining payments made from 2014 over about 12 years under the heading of activities to promote fair elections. Investigators say the chair received a fixed 2.9 million won a month and non-standing members 2.15 million won a month, separately from meeting-attendance and agenda-review fees. The commission chair is generally a Supreme Court justice, and some non-standing members are senior judges. [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]
According to the prosecutor's team, the court said the basic facts had already been established and that the suspects appeared to differ in their legal assessment of them. It also cited a substantial possibility that searches would disrupt the commission's normal work. The team disputed the decision, saying its investigation and material obtained from the Board of Audit and Inspection had specifically substantiated criminal suspicions and explained why a search was necessary. [ 6 , 7 , 10 ]
The prosecutors said they would continue the investigation and seek another warrant. Newsis reported that the team intended to reapply, while Asia Economy described it as considering a new request. The special prosecutor is also investigating the ballot-paper shortage during the June 3 local elections. The allowance issue was identified by the special prosecutor and had not been covered by the earlier joint police and prosecution investigation, Korea Economic Daily reported. [ 3 , 6 , 7 ]
Why it matters
Investigators are examining whether fixed monthly allowances paid separately from meeting and document-review fees were improper. The court cited already established facts, differing legal assessments and possible disruption of the commission's normal work.
Key facts
- The special prosecutor requested the warrant on October 12; the court rejected it around 14:00 on October 14. [ 6 , 7 ]
- Investigators say the commission paid its chair 2.9 million won a month and non-standing members 2.15 million won a month in activity allowances from 2014. [ 6 , 7 , 10 ]
- The prosecutor said evidence from the investigation and the Board of Audit and Inspection supported the need for a search. [ 6 , 7 , 10 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the allowance payments were unlawful. The investigation continues, and the court referred to differing legal assessments.