The National Election Commission announced that the General Situation Room would be established and its staff would be on day/night emergency roster to closely manage elections and reinforce preventive actions against illegal activities from September 20, 90 days before the 18^th Presidential Election Day.

According to the NEC, the General Situation Room will help to understand election-related situations nationwide in real-time and take prompt action on urgent matters such as violations of electoral laws.

The NEC will ensure voters’ participation and freedom to carry out election campaigns while taking strict action against the following:

▲ Defamation and false propaganda

▲ Illegal election campaigns performed by political parties & candidates

▲ Offering monetary gifts and foods

▲ Public officials’ illegal engagement in elections

In particular, the NEC will concentrate its efforts on preventing defamation and false propaganda from arising and prevailing as they may distort opinions of voters in the election. The Cyber Election Surveillance Unit composed of approximately 500 personnel currently runs a real-time search on defamation and false propaganda and delete if anything illegal is found under the direction of the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, the NEC has provided each political party and prospective candidate with guidance on any behaviors restricted/prohibited in accordance with the Public Official Election Act from September 20, 90 days before Election Day. The NEC has ordered the election commissions at all levels to strengthen preventive actions against election laws violations.

In accordance with the Public Official Election Act, no one is allowed to advertize writings, entertainment, plays, movies, photos, etc. which show externally names of political parties, prospective candidates and candidates in a way not prescribed by the Public Official Election Act from September 20, 90 days before Election Day to Election Day. Neither prospective candidates nor candidates are allowed to make an appearance on television or radio and in the newspapers, magazines and commercial ads.

In addition, no prospective candidates or candidates shall hold a publication celebration from September 20 to Election Day. The National Assembly members or local council member are prohibited to report on political activities through rallies and reports. However, posting political activities on the Internet or via e-mails and text message is allowed.

As the Public Official Election Act provides different types of restricted and prohibited behaviors in different time frames, the NEC kindly requested the public to be aware of the relevant laws to prevent breaches of law.

For any queries regarding elections, you can contact the National Election Commission via Hotline (1390), Mobile Web (m.1390.go.kr), Twitter (nec1390) and Website (http://law.nec.go.kr).