The National Election Commission (NEC) held an inauguration ceremony on December 27 for the newly appointed 20th Chairperson Kwon Soon-il, attended by his fellow NEC Commissioners and employees.  

In his inaugural address, Chairperson Kwon said that he feels a great deal of responsibility considering the status and roles of the NEC and that he will work hard to fulfill his responsibilities and mission as Chairperson.

In particular, he called on the public to ensure that next year’s 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections are held within a beautiful election culture where genuine local-level democracy can bloom.  

To achieve this, he stressed the importance of lowering the threshold of participation, improving fairness and transparency and setting a culture of competition between policies, and stressed that healthy local politics should spread.

In addition, he added that as we are entering the meaningful 70th anniversary of democratic elections in the Republic of Korea next year, the NEC will also making efforts to achieve high-level civic education for democracy and should always strive to bring democracy into practice in the daily lives of the people and in the decision-making process of various social groups.

Chairman Kwon said "we have important tasks ahead of us like the development of democracy and the improvement of people''s lives" and that “together with the public we are committed to making progress as a people''s election management body that contributes to democratic development.”

NEC Chairperson Kwon Soon-il Profile

Date of Birth: 26 July 1959

Birthplace: South Chungcheong Province, Republic of Korea

Education: 

• 2002: Doctorate of Law, Seoul National University

• 1981: Undergraduate Degree, Law Department of Seoul National University

• 1977: Graduated from Daejeon High School

Recent Career:

• December 27, 2017 – Present: Chairperson, National Election Commission

• 2014 – Present: Supreme Court Justice 

• 2012 – 2014: Deputy Secretary General, National Court Administration 

• 2011 – 2012: Chief Planning Coordination Officer, National Court Administration

• 2010 – 2011: Senior Judge, Judicial Research and Training Institute 

 ​