[Reporter Becomes Election Commissioner] ① Fallen Trust... Our Precarious Elections

Elections are called the "flower of democracy." The process by which citizens cast their votes according to their will is the most fundamental among the many ways to realize democracy.

No Tae-ak, Chairman of the Central Election Commission, is presiding over an emergency committee meeting held on the afternoon of the 31st of last month at the Gwacheon Central Election Commission to prepare measures related to preferential hiring of children of senior executives.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, our elections have become precarious. The National Election Commission, which oversees elections, lost its authority after it was revealed that the children of senior officials received so-called "dad chance" preferential treatment during the hiring process. Members of the Democratic Party of Korea, who won their seats with the support of the people, are under investigation by prosecutors for allegedly distributing cash envelopes during the 2021 party leadership election to influence votes for a specific candidate. Although voting methods such as early voting and electronic voting have become more diverse, there remains considerable public suspicion about these new methods. This is why allegations of fraud arise repeatedly whenever major elections, such as those for president and members of the National Assembly, are held. It is difficult to have confidence that the 21st National Assembly election, scheduled nationwide for April 15 next year, will be fair and transparent.

The reporter joined the election to reflect on the importance of elections and to personally experience what efforts are needed for a fair election. From May 19 to June 27, the reporter participated as one of eight election management committee members for the 14th Seoul Football Association president by-election. Various figures from academia, the legal profession, and the football community participated as election committee members, and the reporter was listed and active as a media representative.

The Seoul Football Association held a by-election after the suspension of duties of former president Choi Jae-ik, who was elected in January 2021. It was confirmed that Choi violated the association's election regulations, which state that the presidency can only be held concurrently once, by serving consecutive terms in the 12th, 13th, and 14th terms, leading to legal disputes. On April 27, the Supreme Court finalized a ruling recognizing Choi's election as invalid. The position of Seoul Football Association president remained vacant for about two months following the Supreme Court ruling. As a result, the association suffered significant losses due to disruptions in the operation of tournaments and events scheduled during that period.

The reporter served as one of the eight election management committee members for the 14th Seoul Football Association president by-election from May 19 to June 27.
[Photo by Kim Hyung-min]

The Seoul Football Association is the second largest organization in Korean football after the Korea Football Association, with the authority to host and operate football tournaments for elementary, middle, and high schools, universities, and adult divisions within Seoul. Because of this, there was great interest in the by-election within the football community.

The by-election was conducted through "indirect voting." With approximately 20,000 football participants in Seoul, including coaches, players, and club members, direct voting was practically impossible. Gathering 20,000 people in one place for direct voting was not feasible due to limitations in association personnel, budget, and other conditions. Therefore, an electoral college representing football participants by occupational group was formed to conduct proxy voting.