Kim Dai-nyeon has announced he will resign as Secretary General of the National Election Commission (NEC) as of September 27 in order to overcome the crisis related to the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) and return the situation back to normal as soon as possible. 

He released the following statement:

Today I resign as the Secretary General of the National Election Commission. Since taking over the responsibilities of Secretary General of the NEC on November 21, 2016, as trusted by the public and the staff of the NEC, I have overseen the successful management of an early presidential election following the impeachment of the president and the 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections held in June this year, completing the responsibilities granted by the Constitution and law.

However, I decided that I have no choice but to resign to overcome the current crisis triggered by the Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). 

In 2013, A-WEB was established under the leadership of the NEC in order to support the establishment of democratic elections in countries transitioning towards democracy. It is very significant in that it is the first consultative body between countries to be assembled by more than 100 election agencies around the world.

However, A-WEB has been working differently to its intended purpose despite a number of recommendations and has continued with its self-righteous operation focusing on the export of a certain company’s election equipment. The nation has been exposed to many problems, including the fall of the national prestige caused by the diplomatic row, and the controversy continues. 

Of course, this is clearly due to the personal deviations of A-WEB Secretary General Kim Yong-hi, who the NEC has requested an investigation into by the prosecution office. Despite this there are many voices pointing out the responsibility of the NEC, which is in a position to direct and oversee subsidies for A-WEB projects.

From my important position as the Secretary General it is very sad for me to see the NEC, which is loved and trusted by the public, in the present difficult situation plagued by inappropriate events. It also hurt that election officials across the country urged Kim Yong-hi, former Secretary General of the NEC and current A-WEB Secretary General, to step down.

Therefore, I decided that I needed to normalize the situation regarding A-WEB before it was too late and to resign. I hope that Kim Yong-hi will also take responsibility by withdrawing himself and resigning.  I think that we, as two people who sat in the important position of Secretary General of the NEC, should show our juniors at the NEC proper behavior fitting for the Republic of Korea. 

I hope that with my resignation and the resignation of Secretary General Kim Yong-hi will normalize A-WEB and ensure it will become a bridgehead for the development of global democracy. I also hope that the around 2,800 members of the Election Commission will be able to devote themselves to the development of electoral democracy away from the burden of current situation at A-WEB and focus only on their own duties. 

Thank you for everything you''ve done over my time at the NEC. 

Kim Dai-nyeon

September 27, 2018