The National Election Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Korea announced the results of candidate registration for the 2nd nationwide simultaneous elections for heads of cooperatives, which recorded an average of 2.6 candidates per elected position, with 3,474 candidates registered for positions at 1,344 cooperatives.  

This compares with the average number of candidates during the 1st nationwide simultaneous elections for heads of cooperatives, which stood at 2.7 candidates per position. 

By cooperative, 2,928 candidates registered from the National Agricultural Cooperative Foundation (NACF), 227 from the National Federation of Fisheries (NFF) and 319 candidates from the National Forestry Cooperative Federation (NFCF). ​ 

The election position which recorded the highest ratio of candidates per position was the elections for the leadership of the Chowol Agricultural Cooperative Foundation in Gwangju City Gyeonggi Province and two other foundations, with eight persons registering per position. There are 197 positions which will not hold an election as only a single candidate registered. 

When looking at the candidates by age, 1,489 candidates are below the age of 60, 1,805 are in their sixties and 180 are aged 70 or older. 572 current heads of cooperatives have registered as candidates. 

You can check the current positions, careers and academic history of the candidates as well as other information on the NEC homepage (www.nec.go.kr). 

Registered candidates have been able to campaign since February 28 and can campaign in the following ways: 

• Putting up campaign posters and sending out campaign material

• Using  sashes, signs and other props

• Post content including text and video on bulletin boards and chat rooms on internet sites that are opened and operated by the relevant association

• Send campaign emails

• Call directly or send text messages by phone 

• Appeal for support from voters directly using business cards

The NEC will put up election posters prepared and submitted by candidates to the association office bulletin boards and other relevant locations by March 4, and campaign material as well as election information guides will be sent to the homes of cooperative members by March 5. ​