Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday appointed a prosecutor-turned-lawyer as special counsel to investigate ballot shortages reported during the June 3 elections. Lee Tae-han, one of two candidates recommended by a bipartisan recommendation committee, will have up to 20 days to prepare for the investigation, with a full-scale probe expected to begin early next month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the special counsel team will have up to 90 days to investigate allegations of mismanagement of ballot papers by the National Election Commission. This period can be extended twice by 30 days each if necessary. The special counsel emphasized that the investigation aims to resolve doubts without political consideration or prejudice.

"I feel a heavy burden of responsibility ... we will probe in accordance with laws and principle, as well as objective evidence and facts," Lee Tae-han stated. The special counsel hopes that this investigation will help lay the foundation for improvements in the country's election management, ensuring more transparency and efficiency in future elections.