5th Voter''s Day Commemorative Speech

Fellow citizens, and ladies and gentlemen! 

Today, May 10th, is Voter''s Day

68 years ago today, the first general elections were held in the Republic of Korea. Through this election, we elected a National Assembly and it paved the way to the signing of the Constitution and setting the foundation of the country.  

We have designated May 10 as Voter''s Day to celebrate the history of our citizen''s sovereignty, and we will work hard to ensure that the voter''s sense of sovereignty is increased and they appreciate the importance and meaning of elections.

Often we say ''elections are the heart of democracy.'' This is because democratic citizens elect their representatives through elections and then can judge the results of their policies and the validity of their actions through elections. 

In a democracy, through elections the citizens can make the future they dream of a reality. A single vote from a voter has the power to change our society, and democracy can be made more robust by the weight of participation.

Democracy can bloom into a beautiful flower thanks to the active participation of voters in elections and their rightful choices. 

In this sense, elections are the beginning of democracy and the heart of democracy, and through elections we can make a happy Korea. 

My fellow citizens! 

The NEC was established as an independent constitutional agency according to the citizens'' desire for fair elections after past rigged elections on March 15, 1960. 

Although the task the NEC was responsible for was a heavy one and the process was not smooth, even in difficult circumstances we worked tirelessly to advance democratic politics with the voters at the center. 

In addition, in the last half century, We have achieved a lot together with citizens in this short history of democracy, and as a result we have been able to develop a democracy that is the envy of the world.  

However, we still have a long way to go. In order to change the election environment to meet the citizens'' high expectations, we must prepare for another new leap forward.

Although our election culture has become far cleaner, still some of the practices from the past remain, and there is an increasing demand to improve regulations that limit political expression and participation. 

In addition, there is an increasing need to invigorate civic education through mutual communication between stakeholders for the establishment of mature democracy. 

At the same time as catering to this era by actively campaigning to improve the election environment, the NEC will also make various efforts to foster a mature democratic consciousness. 

In accordance with the independence invested by the Constitution in the NEC and its neutral leadership position in the eyes of the voters, we will continue to perform our duties regarding elections, referenda and political parties in a fair manner. 

In the future, as we have done in the past, we will do our very best to fulfill our constitutional role and to be a national institution responsive to the expectations of citizens.

Fellow citizens, and ladies and gentlemen! 

The meaning of Voter''s Day is for citizens to be aware of their sovereignty. Through today''s ceremony, I expect the meaning of elections to be understood further and the voter''s sense of sovereignty to increase so that the political culture of our country can develop one more step. 

The 20th National Assembly elections held on April 13 could be managed safely along with great interest and participation from citizens. In the future as well, the NEC will do its very best together with citizens to create a festival of beautiful election culture with citizens at the heart of it.  

Once again I would like to thank my fellow citizens who have showed great interest in and have invested great trust and faith in the NEC. 

Thank you.  

May 10, 2015

Lee In-Bok

Chairperson of the National Election Commission

Republic of Korea