The National Election Commission (NEC) held a retirement ceremony at the NEC’s main hall on December 26 at 3pm for Chairperson Kim Yong Deok, attended by his fellow NEC Commissioners and employees. 

Chairman Yong-deok Kim, in his retirement, forwarded his thanks for the hard work and dedication of the staff and said that it was as a result of their commitment and sense of duty that the 19th presidential election, which was the first to be held in such strict conditions in our constitutional history following the presidential vacancy, was held to the standards expected by the people. 

In particular, during his term the NEC has: 

• Expanded participation in elections, making all the election procedures and results more transparent, and achieved a voter-centered election culture by raising the quality of election services.

• Transferred the KOCEI election training center to Suwon and laid the basis for a leap forward in developing democratic citizens.

• Ensured that the online voting system, supported by the NEC, is also playing a role in solving social conflicts.

In his farewell speech, Chairperson Kim said "even though it was a short time, I leave with pride having fulfilled the duties granted to me by the Constitution and the laws, living up to the standards expected by both the people and history" adding that "the NEC should continue to work to solve the challenges of realizing true democracy one by one.”​