• Pledges to listen to the voice of the people and fulfill the NEC duties with a strict neutrality

• NEC will work to ensure lawful 2nd Nationwide Simultaneous Elections for Heads of Cooperatives on March 13

• Highlights the need to improve the electoral system according to the people''s high political consciousness and in light of social change

My fellow citizens! I hope that you will be able to achieve all the things you wish for this year and that you will be filled with joy and happiness.

On March 13 this year, we will hold the 2nd Nationwide Simultaneous Elections for Heads of Cooperatives to select over 1,300 representatives for the Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Cooperatives. While respecting the autonomy of these federation activities, we will endeavor to lay the foundations for lawful elections in the same manner as public official elections.

In the second half of the year, preparations for the 21st National Assembly elections are scheduled to begin in earnest, including establishing Overseas Voting Election Commissions in more than 170 diplomatic missions around the world and registering preliminary candidates.

The NEC will listen closely to the voice of the people, and will thoroughly prepare to remove inconveniencies or difficulties to participation in elections in cooperation with experts in each field of society, including political parties.

I think this year is the best time to advance our electoral system, and we need to expand the freedom of election campaigning in accordance with citizen’s high political consciousness and in light of social change, as well as to improve the system so that the voters'' opinions are faithfully reflected in the election results.

This year, the NEC will remain strictly neutral and will faithfully carry out its duties. We ask for your continued interest and support. Thank you. ​