(LEAD) Special counsel launches inspection of local election ballots stored at Seoul handball arena

What happened: A special counsel team led by Lee Tae-han began inspecting ballots stored at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul as part of a probe into ballot shortages during the June 3 local Why it matters: The shortages at multiple polling stations nationwide sparked public outcry after some voters were forced to turn back without casting ballots, and protesters have blocked removal of the Songpa Ward ballots while calling for accountability and a rerun. The team said the inspection is not a recount but aims to verify ballot numbers and check for tampering or forgery.

A special counsel team led by Lee Tae-han began inspecting ballots stored at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Seoul as part of a probe into ballot shortages during the June 3 local

The shortages at multiple polling stations nationwide sparked public outcry after some voters were forced to turn back without casting ballots, and protesters have blocked removal of the Songpa Ward ballots while calling for accountability and a rerun. The team said the inspection is not a recount but aims to verify ballot numbers and check for tampering or forgery.