= Officials also observe early voting and the election day voting and counting process during the 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections =

The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea held the 2018 Seoul International Forum on Elections (SIFE) at the Le Meridien Hotel in Seoul on June 11, inviting 130 election officials, ambassadors and representatives from international organizations from 24 countries from around the world to introduce advanced election management techniques and to discuss ways to improve the electoral system. 

The Chairperson of the NEC Kwon Soon-Il began the forum with opening remarks and he was followed by congratulatory remarks from Ambassador-designate and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea Michael Reiterer and Charge D’Affairs of the US Embassy to the Republic of Korea Edwin C. Sagurton Jr.

Invited international organizations included the European Union (EU), the Organization of American States (OAS) and The Asia Foundation (TAF) and various election management bodies from around the world sent representatives, including Chairpersons from the Malawi Electoral Commission and the Election Commission of India. Prior to the forum participants in the International Election Observation Program, which was held from June 8 to June 15, observed various parts of the 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections, including the voting and counting processes. 

Seoul International Forum on Elections (SIFE)

The Seoul International Forum on Elections, which was held for the 4th time this year, discusses the development of electoral systems around the world and cooperation between countries in the field of elections.

There were three sessions focused on different topics during the day as follows: 

International Election Observation Program for the 7th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections

Election officials from around the world observed the 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections from June 8. On the first day, the participants were given an introduction to Korea''s political and election system and were given an opportunity to experience mock early voting using the integrated voters list and ballot counting. 

On June 9, participants visited early voting polling stations to observe the entire early voting process and visited the NEC, including the election situation room. In addition, participants explored the ‘Election History Exhibition Hall’ installed Korean Civic Education Institute for Democracy (KOCEI) to review the history of democratic elections in Korea, which marked their 70th anniversary this year. 

On June 12 the participants has an opportunity to watch campaigning by candidates in various locations and on elections day participants went to polling stations and counting centers to observe the entire process of voting and counting. 

The NEC has hosted the Seoul International Forum on Elections since 2015, and Election Visitor Programs and International Election Observation Programs have been running since the 6th simultaneous local elections in 2014. 

The NEC said that through the Seoul International Forum on Elections it will lead the international agenda for the development of global democracy and continue to work together with election management bodies and international organizations around the world.​