The national election watchdog has decided not to discipline two officials over alleged irregularities, including preferential treatment, in the hiring of children of senior officials. 

An official at the National Election Commission(NEC) told Yonhap News on Friday that a disciplinary committee, which included outside members, decided not to take disciplinary action. 

The two officials were reportedly found to have no direct involvement in the personnel matters handled by a regional office of the watchdog facing the allegations.

The NEC came under fire by the Board of Audit and Inspection(BAI) in May 2023 after allegations emerged that children of senior officials, including former secretary-generals Park Chan-jin and Song Bong-seop, received preferential treatment. 

After reviewing 291 hiring cases since 2013, the BAI recommended disciplinary action for 17 employees, after which NEC later requested a committee review for those cases and one additional worker. 

Of the 18 employees reviewed, six were expelled or suspended, and ten had their salary reduced or reprimanded.

The NEC is also in the process of revoking employment of ten people suspected of being hired through irregularities.