Lee orders election watchdog probe to expand beyond ballot shortages

President Lee Jae Myung called for a sweeping investigation into South Korea's election watchdog, urging authorities to scrutinize a range of alleged irregularities beyond the ballot shortages that marred the June 3 local elections.

Lee told acting Prosecutor General Ku Ja-hyeon to investigate "indirect corruption-related issues and other outrageous problems that have come to light," including alleged wasteful spending and unfair hiring practices within the National Election Commission.

"Whether ...