NEC Holds Policy Meeting with National Governmental Agencies

= Aims to improve the accuracy and fairness of elections and to take strict measures against illegal activities =

On April 18, the National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea hosted a policy meeting with related organizations in which officials from six ministries participated, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, to successfully manage the 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections.

In addition to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of National Defense, the Supreme Prosecutors'' Office, the National Police Agency, and Korea Post attended the meeting to discuss measures to improve the accuracy and fairness of the elections, to enhance convenience for voters and expand citizen’s right to information and to and to prepare measures against serious crimes during elections. Furthermore, the NEC pledged to closely cooperate to establish an emergency communication system between the representatives of related organizations.

In order to enhance the accuracy and fairness of the elections, the Ministries will actively cooperate in voting and counting management training and mock early voting as well as holding intensive training and support for election management personnel. 

For voter’s convenience and to expand citizen’s right to information, the Ministries agreed to carry out their work without disruption including providing information on candidates’ policies and pledges through the NEC-operated election statistics system (http://info.nec.go.kr) and policy and pledge information site (http://policy.nec.go.kr), operating special transportation for inconvenienced voters, and promptly and accurately receiving and delivering election-related material such as voting information.

The NEC has also established a fluid cooperation system with investigative agencies such as the prosecution and the police to respond strongly to major election crimes such as bribery and illegal election polling. Also, the investigative agencies also plan to deal sternly with reports and investigation requests made by the NEC and acts which prevent interference in election management including attacks on election management staff. 

In particular, the NEC has prepared special measures to prevent public officials from engaging in illegal elections. Also, the NEC pledged to severely punish public officials who violate the law and fully guarantee the anonymity of whistleblowers. 

The NEC has expressed its willingness to fully cooperate with relevant ministries to manage the elections accurately and fairly, and has asked for the active interest and participation of all citizens.​