''Elections Foster Democracy'' Special Exhibition Opening Ceremony Held

300-piece exhibit detailing elections since the general elections on May 10, 1948

The NEC is supporting the special exhibit at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History from March 14 until June 26

The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea hosted the opening ceremony of a special exhibit about the history of elections entitled ‘Elections foster Democracy’ on the third floor of the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History at 2pm, Monday March 14. 

The participants in the opening ceremony included political, societal and cultural figures as well as ‘beautiful elections’ honorary ambassador, actress Jang Na-ra. 

The NEC and the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History are jointly hosting the special exhibition from March 14 until June 26 in the special exhibition hall on the third floor and the election experience room on the first floor of the museum. 

The planned special exhibition displays 300 election and political party related pieces in order to inform visitors about the growth of democracy and the developed election system of Korea since the first general elections on May 10, 1948. 

In addition, in the election experience room on the first floor, visitors can experience early voting and can take a look at the counting process through demonstrations of the ballot sorting machine and other elements. 

The NEC expects that through this special exhibition citizens can understand the meaning and importance of elections and participate actively in the harmony and a festive spirit to create a beautiful election culture. 

Special Exhibition Contents Summary 

Part One: The First Step towards Democracy

From the general election on May 10, 1948 until the Second Republic, the election system began and the people’s desire for democracy was made clear. Pieces in this section details the first universal, equal, direct and secret ballot, which was the general election on May 10, 1948, and the first time direct Presidential elections were introduced in 1952. In addition, documents and photos from other parts of this first period are displayed, including the Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections in 1956, the rigged election of May 15, 1960 and the subsequent April 19 revolution.

Part Two: Democracy through Elections, the Long and Rugged Path 

Even though Korea was under an authoritarian regime, citizens were able to use the opportunity to express their opinions during imperfect elections. In this part, pieces are displayed detailing the military coup on May 16, 1961, the establishment of the National Election Commission and the institutionalization of the election system, the electoral dominance of the opposition parties in terms of garnered votes under the Yushin constitution in 1978, the June Democratic Movement in 1987 and finally the restoration of direct Presidential elections.

Part Three: Elections, the Heart of Democracy

After the June Democratic Movement and moves towards democracy in 1987, the public began to think about the form of elections in Korea through the restoration of direct Presidential elections and local elections. In order to achieve fair democratic elections, a combined election law was enacted and elements such as simultaneous local elections, early voting, shipboard voting and overseas voting were introduced, and this part of the exhibition displays these parts of the advanced election system developed during this period.