Government Takes Zero-Tolerance Approach to Election Offenses... Police Escort All Early Voting Ballots During Transport

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Chairs General Election Support Ministers' Meeting
Prosecutors and Police Establish 24-Hour Election Offender Response System
Expansion of Public Official Personnel Support...Incentives Prepared

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government has established a policy to strictly respond to false information disclosure, bribery, and illegal election interference ahead of the general election on the 10th of next month. Additionally, to enhance the reliability of early voting, which has faced criticism for poor management, the police will escort all movements of postal ballots.

On the 28th, the government held a meeting of related ministers supporting the 22nd National Assembly election at the Government Complex Sejong, chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, where these decisions were made. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commissioner of the National Police Agency, and the Director of the Korea Post.

First, the government decided to significantly expand the number of public officials needed for election duties such as voting and counting staff compared to previous elections. This is because the Central Election Commission introduced a 'manual ballot verification procedure' in this election, where all ballots are checked by hand during counting, which is expected to require more personnel.

The government explained, "To ensure there are no disruptions in the necessary personnel support, we will guarantee rest rights for election support public officials and provide incentives such as increased election allowances to actively cooperate in supporting public official personnel."

Management of early voting postal ballots will also be strengthened.

Until now, the police only escorted postal ballots during the transfer from early voting stations to the local post office. However, going forward, the police will escort the postal ballots throughout the entire process until they arrive at the district/city/county election commission.

Additionally, the government will continuously monitor the status of personnel and facility support centered on the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's 'Fair Election Support Situation Room.' From the start of early voting on the 5th of next month until the completion of voting and counting, a 'Voting and Counting Support Situation Room' will be operated.

In particular, the government will strictly respond to illegal activities during the election campaign period.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will conduct intensive inspections targeting local government officials nationwide during the election campaign period through joint inspection teams of cities and provinces, and will also provide education to strengthen political neutrality and public service discipline.

The Ministry of Justice and the police have prepared strengthened measures to crack down on election-related crimes.

False information disclosure, black propaganda, bribery, illegal election interference by public officials and organizations, and election-related violence are designated as key targets for crackdown, and all illegal acts occurring during the election process will be strictly dealt with under a zero-tolerance policy.

The prosecution and police have established a 24-hour response system for election-related crimes.

The government emphasized, "We will thoroughly investigate the truth and conduct rigorous investigations according to law and principles regarding fake news and false agitation that distort the people's choice and threaten democracy, as well as election violence against candidates and others."

Prime Minister Han said, "We will do our best to support the National Assembly election so that it can be conducted smoothly according to the free will of the people and democratic procedures," and added, "We ask the public for much interest and cooperation based on mature democratic citizenship."