General Election Campaigns Fully Underway... Government Promises a 'Safe Voting Environment'

On the afternoon of the 1st, an employee at the Jongno District Election Commission in Inui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, is examining the election posters of the candidates for the 21st National Assembly election in Jongno-gu. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the campaign for the 21st National Assembly election officially begins amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government has emphasized its policy to strictly crack down on illegal and illicit election campaigns and the dissemination of fake news.

On the morning of the 2nd, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha, Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Jin Young held a public address at the Government Seoul Office expressing the government's strong determination to create a safe voting environment where citizens can vote with peace of mind.

The government first asked for the understanding of overseas nationals in a total of 51 countries where overseas voting could not be conducted due to the unavoidable spread of COVID-19 not only domestically but also abroad. In countries where overseas voting is being held, overseas diplomatic missions and Korean communities will cooperate to ensure safe voting.

Domestically, disinfection and sterilization will be conducted throughout all voting and counting stations before and after the election, and voters showing symptoms on election day will be supported to vote at specially prepared temporary polling stations. COVID-19 confirmed patients can vote via absentee ballots and at early voting stations set up in residential treatment centers.

Illegal and illicit election campaigns will be thoroughly monitored, with a particular focus on cracking down on bribery and fake news in cyberspace, and strict punishment will be enforced.

Additionally, inspection activities will be strengthened to prevent election interference by public officials and administrative gaps arising from the election atmosphere, and severe penalties will be imposed if any violations occur.

The government urged citizens to exercise their precious voting rights during the early voting period from the 10th to the 11th and on election day, the 15th.

Minister Jin Young of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety requested, "For a safe election, please be sure to wear a mask when coming to the polling station, and actively cooperate with the instructions of election officials such as temperature checks and maintaining distance from the person in front of you."