NEC Chairperson Kim Yong-deok New Year Message

Fellow citizens!

The New Year of 2017 has dawned.

I hope you can achieve everything you wish for in the New Year and that your home will be full of laughter and happiness.

The 19th presidential election to be held this year will be very meaningful because it is held in the year that marks 30th year since the 1987 presidential election when, through the people’s will, direct elections were achieved. I ask my fellow citizens to actively participate in the election so that the significance and importance of that time when we practiced our spirit of national sovereignty endowed in the Constitution will not be lost today.

Participation in the election is the most meaningful way to show that the owner of this country is its people.

The National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea (NEC) will work hard to prevent anybody from interfering with the election unlawfully and will do everything in our power to ensure that the valuable will of the people is not distorted and is reflected rightly.

Most of all, we will create an atmosphere of fair competition using feasible policies, and provide information in various ways so that citizens can properly look at candidates'' pledges and qualities and make their choice.

We will transparently disclose all voting procedures, improve the quality of election services so that voting is convenient, and strictly enforce the law to ensure that everyone will be able to accept the outcome of the election.

Fellow citizens!

At present, the political situation in our country is so confusing that is not easy to see the very close future. Our people, however, are wisely making their way through this national crisis with a mature mindset of democratic citizenship. 

The NEC will unreservedly fulfill its mission and responsibilities, no matter what happens to the schedule for the presidential election.

We will keep the mandate of fair election management bestowed upon us by the Constitution at the center of what we do, and ensure a fair and perfect election based on our election management experience that we have accumulated for over half a century. 

In addition, I will give my all to create a beautiful election that embodies the hopes of the Republic of Korea with harmony and the participation of all. 

I ask my fellow citizens for your continued interest and encouragement.

Happy New Year.

Thank you.

January 1, 2017

Kim Yong-deok

Chairperson

National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea