Secretary-General Jong-woo Lee gave a special lecture to 115 heads of overseas missions at the Central Officials Training Institute on February 23, under the title of ‘Strategic plan to manage the 2012 overseas voting’. 

Mr. Lee offered a detailed explanation of the current status of preparation, establishment of overseas voting commission, registration of overseas absentees and overseas voters, and other related issues.

Mr. Lee noted that the ultimate purposes of overseas voting – which are national unity and development – can be met, only when the heads of the overseas missions maintain neutrality and fairness. In this regard, he asked the overseas missions to stay politically impartial, facilitate fair elections, prepare and manage the voting process in a thorough manner, and ensure close cooperation with the host country.

The preparation for overseas voting next year for the National Assembly members will start with sending 55 election officials to 55 overseas missions in 28 countries. The schedule for the preparation is as follows.

May-July 2011: Conduct a mock overseas voting (with the participation of 161 overseas missions, 251 Gu/Si/Gun local governments, and 251 Gu/Si/Gun Election Commissions)

October 14, 2011: Set up overseas voting commission at overseas missions.

November 13, 2011: Begin the registration of overseas voters and overseas absentees for the 19^th National Assembly elections (continuing until February 11, 2012).