= NEC to prepare thoroughly and with extraordinary determination to manage elections accurately and to the highest possible standards. Will achieve a beautiful election of harmony and participation together with citizens =

Kim Yong-deok, the Chairperson of the National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea, asserted the will of the NEC to fairly manage the 19th presidential election, which will now be held early due to a vacancy in the Office of the President. 

This statement was prepared to explain the management direction of the NEC considering the fact that the election schedule, including preliminary candidate registration, is already underway after the confirmation of a vacancy in the Office of the President. 

Kim Yong-deok said that if elections are not well established then politics cannot be well established, and if politics is not well established then the nation itself cannot be well established. He also stated that NEC will prepare thoroughly and with extraordinary determination to mange elections accurately and to the highest possible standards. 

In addition, he asked politicians, the media, civic and social organizations, and public officials to cooperate with the NEC in order to ensure that, through this election, it is possibly to resolve the social conflicts that have occurred recently and achieve national harmony. 

The main contents of the statement were as follows.

• This presidential election should be an opportunity to build a Korea of unity and integration beyond conflict and division.

• The NEC recognizes the heavy significance of this election and will manage it strictly and fairly in accordance with the mandate given to the NEC by the Constitution.

• The NEC will prepare thoroughly and with extraordinary determination to mange elections accurately and to the highest possible standards even though it is only a short time period. 

• The NEC will open the entire election process and the results of the election in the most transparent way possible and make it easy for the voters to exercise their precious sovereignty.

• We will provide all kinds of election information promptly and accurately, and create an election atmosphere where policies compete.  

• Freedom of expression will be fully guaranteed, but the NEC will respond firmly to major electoral crimes that shake the foundations of the electoral system.

• Political parties and candidates should compete fairly with feasible policies and pledges.  In addition, voters should not be fooled by unsubstantiated or false facts, but should select qualified candidates by carefully examining their qualities and abilities.

• Citizens and social groups should support or oppose candidates within the framework of the law, and public officials should firmly establish a neutral attitude.

• The NEC will do its best to achieve a beautiful election of harmony and participation that can give hope to Korea.