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System of government

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

1. Presidential system.

2. Number of Chambers (Unicameral/Bicameral) and their tenure: Unicameral, four-year terms.

System of government-References:

 

Total population

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

51,623,293 (2016 National Assembly Elections).

Total population-References:

 

Total area (in square kilo meters)

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

99,720㎢.

Total area (in square kilo meters)-References:

 

Number of registered voters

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

42,056,325 (Male voters: 20,832,593, Female voters: 21,223,732) (as of 2016 National Assembly Elections).

Number of registered voters-References:

 

Number of registered political parties

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

As of May 27, 2016:

-       Saenuri Party

-       The Minjoo Party of Korea

-       The People’s Party

-       The Justice Party

-       The Minjoo Party

-       Let’s Go Korea

-       Human Right for Comfort Women Party

-       People’s New Party for Reform

-       Alliance for the Advancement of Employment Welfare and Pension

-       Republican Party

-       People's Happy Party

-       International Green Party

-       Buddhist Party

-       Christian Union Party

-       Christian Libertarian Party

-       Labour Party

-       Green Party Korea

-       The Republic of Korea Party

-       People's Union Party

-       Welfare State Party

-       Truth Korea Party

-       Pro-Ban Unification Party

-       Unified Korea Party

-       United Democratic Party

-       The Korea Nationalist Party

-       Hannara Party

-       Han Peace Party

-       Korean Peninsula Coalition for The Future.

Number of registered political parties-References:

 

Number of polling stations

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

2016 National Assembly Elections: 13,837 (election day), 3,511 (early voting day), 198 (overseas voting).

Number of polling stations-References:

 

Average number of voters per polling station

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

2016 National Assembly Elections: 3,039.

Average number of voters per polling station-References:

 

Voting age

Last Updated : 2016-08-03

A Korean national of nineteen years of age or above has the right to vote.

Voting age-References:

 

Elected Offices

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

President, National Assembly members, the heads of local governments, and members of local councils.

Elected Offices-References:

 

Election system

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

President: Direct Presidential elections using the first-past-the-post system in a single nationwide constituency.

 

National Assembly: Mixed system with 253 seats elected by the first-past-the-post system in single-member constituencies and 47 seats elected by a closed-list proportional representation in a single nationwide constituency.

Election system-References:

 

Terms of office

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

1. President: Five years.

2. National Assembly members: Four years.

3. Heads of Local Governments and Local Council Members: Four years.

Terms of office-References:

 

Election

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

2016 National Assembly elections.

 

Election-References:

 

Date

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

April 13, 2016 (Wed).

Date-References:

 

Political parties in the elections

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

Total number: 20

-       Saenuri Party

-       The Minjoo Party

-       The People’s Party

-       Justice Party

-       Christian Libertarian Party

-       Let’s Go Korea

-       Human Rights for Comfort Women Party

-       People's New Party for Reform

-       Alliance for the Advancement of Employment, Welfare and Pension

-       Republican party

-       Buddhist Party

-       Christian Union Party

-       Labor Party

-       Green Party Korea

-       People's United Party

-       Welfare State Party

-       Pro-Ban Unification Party

-       Unified Korea Party

-       Korean National Party

-       Hannara Party

Political parties in the elections-References:

 

Number of elected candidates

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

300 (male members: 249, female males: 51

 

Number of elected candidates-References:

 

Voter turnout

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

58 percent

Voter turnout-References:

 

Number of ballots cast

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

Number of ballots cast: 24,430,746

Number of ballots cast-References:

 

Legal framework for elections

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

- Constitution

- Public Official Election Act

- Political Parties Act

- Political Fund Act

- Election Commission Act

- Local Education Autonomy Act

- Residents Voting Act

- National Referendum Act

Legal framework for elections-References:

 

Legal provisions

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

Legal basis for direct democracy is stipulated in the Constitution, such as in Articles 2, 24, 41.1, 67.1.

Legal provisions-References:

 

Referenda

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

1. National Referenda

Korea holds referenda on national policies related to diplomacy, national defense, unification, as well as amendments in accordance with the Constitution.

 

-Constitution and Law

Article 72 of the Constitution sets out that 'The President may submit to a national referendum important policies relating to diplomacy, national defense, unification and other matters relating to a national destiny if the President deems it necessary.'

Article 130 Clause 2 sets out that 'the proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be submitted to a national referendum not later than thirty days after being passed by the National Assembly, and shall be determined by more than a half of all votes cast by more than a half of the voters eligible to vote for the National Assembly members.' The above indicates that referenda are based on the Constitution and the National Referendum Act.

 

Process:

 

 

- Agenda for the Referendum and Notification of Referendum Day

- Posting of the Agenda for Referendum

- Preparation/Delivery of Referendum Campaign Leaflets

- Referendum Campaigning

- Preparation of Voters List and Management of Voting/Ballot Counting

- Announcement and Promulgation

 

(For further details on each item, please refer to the following website.

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/04_01.jsp )

 

2. Residents’ Referenda

To maintain fairness and objectivity, guarantee the fair management of Residents' Referenda,  set the subject of any referenda, and to decide the voters qualification and confirmation process, the「Residents' Referendum Law」was signed on Jan 29, 2004 as  Law No. 7124.

 

-       Overview of Residents Referenda

o    Management Basis

o    Subject of Residents' Referendum

o    Request for Residents' Referendum

o    Announcement of Acceptance of Request

o    Decision on Date  of the Residents' Referendum

o    Preparation of Electoral Register

o    Residents' Referendum Campaigning

o    Confirmation of Results of Residents' Referendum

 

-       Residents; Referenda Held in the Past

(For further details on each item, please refer to the following website.

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/05_01.jsp )

Referenda-References:

 

People’s Initiatives

Last Updated : 2016-05-03

Recall Votes

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

The「Recall Vote Law」 was passed on May 24, 2006 as Law No. 7958 in order to encourage resident's participation in local governments and enhance democracy and the responsibilities of local administration.

i.              Request for Recall Vote

ii.             Period of Restricting a Request for Recall Vote

iii.            Announcement of Recall Vote

iv.            Determination of the Date for Recall Vote

v.             Preparation of electoral register

vi.            Recall Vote Campaigning

vii.           Confirmation of Recall Vote Results

(For further details on each item, please refer to the following website.

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/06_01.jsp )

Recall Votes-References:

 

Official name

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea

Official name -References:

 

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Mission: Realize Advanced Democratic Elections in a Free and Fair Way

-       Vision: For Good Politics, For Good Services, For Good Future.

-       Key Objectives: Establish a perfect election management system, create an advanced political environment, lay the groundwork for sound development of political parties and create healthy and competitive organization.

-       Functions

I.       Management of Various Elections

              i.         Manage Elections for Public Office

l  Manage Election Affairs

l  Prevent, Oversee and Control Election Law Violations

- Election Surveillance Units

- Issue of Order and Warning to Stop and Correct Election Law Violation

l  Manage Campaign Spending

ii.         Set a Limit for Campaign Spending

iii.         Manage Entrusted Elections

iv.         Manage Election Affairs within Political Parties

 

      II.     Management of Various Votes

                         i.         Management of National Referenda

                        ii.         Management of Residents Referenda

                       iii.         Management of Residents Recall Votes

 

      III.    Management of Political Party Duties

 

      IV.    Management of Affairs in Relation to Political Funds

     

       V.     Promotion of Fair Elections

                         i.         Policy-based Election Atmosphere

                        ii.         Nationwide Campaign for Fair Elections

 

      VI.    Democratic Citizen Education

                         i.         Promotion to Enhance Citizenship

                        ii.         Education at the Korea Civic Education Institute for Democracy (KOCEI)

                       iii.         Spread of Democracy around the World

                       iv.         Arrangement of Democratic Citizenship Education in Preparation for Reunification

 

      VII.   International Exchange and Cooperation

                         i.         Exchange with Overseas Election Management Bodies

                        ii.         Support for Emerging Democracies

 

      VIII. Research on Electoral/Political Systems

                         i.         Research on Korean and Foreign Political Systems

                        ii.         Submission of Proposals for Law Enactment/Revision

                       iii.         Research on Electronic Election Systems

 

(For further details on each item, please refer to the following website.

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/01_aboutnec/01_03.jsp )

Mission, Vision, Key Objectives, Functions-References:

 

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)

Last Updated : 2016-06-13

Independent

Type of EMB(independent, governmental, mixed)-References:

 

EMB budget source

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

The budget is arranged by the Election Commission itself, adjusted by the Ministry of Planning & Finance, and passed by the National Assembly as part of the national budget.

EMB budget source-References:

 

EMB expenditure audit

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

NEC’s expenditures are audited by the National Assembly. The Board of Audit and Inspection of Korean examines the NECs accounting records against national accounting standards.

EMB expenditure audit-References:

 

Number of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

9 EMB members:

- Chairperson

- Vice chairperson

- 7 Commissioners

(Election Commission Act Article 2)

Number of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Term of EMB members (commissioners)

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Six years (Constitution Article 114, Election Commission Act Article 8)

Term of EMB members (commissioners)-References:

 

Who appoints members (commissioners)?

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Three members are appointed by the President, three are elected by the National Assembly, and the remaining three are nominated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Who appoints members (commissioners)?-References:

 

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

A Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson are elected from among the Commissioners. Customarily a Justice of the Supreme Court is elected Chairperson.

Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson-References:

 

Administrative divisions

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Provincial-level: 8 Si (Metropolitan City) and 9 Do (Province)

-       Municipal-level: 77 Si (City), 82 Gun (County), 104 Gu (District)

-       Submunicipal-level: 216 Eup (Town), 1198 Myeon (Township), 2073 Dong (Neighborhood)

Administrative divisions -References:

 

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district)

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

- Presidential elections

In Presidential elections, the candidate is elected by a simple majority. If there is only one candidate running for the office, he or she is required to gain more than one third of the total number of the voters in order to be elected to the office.

 

- National Assembly elections

 

I.       Constituency members

Under the majority representation system, voters select only one candidate in a single-member district, where the candidate with the most votes gets elected.

 

II.      Proportional representation members

In a closed-list proportional representation system, a set number of seats are allocated to parties in proportion to their overall share of the votes in the party-list proportional representation ballot. To qualify for seat allocation, parties need to win more than five seats in the National Assembly constituency member elections or more than three percent of the total valid votes in the proportional representation election.

Delimitation of constituencies(electoral district) -References:

 

Criteria for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

1.Delimitation of constituencies for National Assembly members: Population, administrative districts, geographical features, traffic and other conditions.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 25)

 

2. Delimitation of Constituencies for Local Council Members: Population, administrative districts, geographical features, traffic, and other conditions
(Public Official Election Act, Article 26)

Criteria for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Body responsible for drawing boundaries

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-  Boundary Delimitation Commission for the relevant election.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 24)

 

-  The National Assembly shall confirm election constituencies for National Assembly elections delimitated by the Boundary Delimitation Commission by one year before the election.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 24.2)

Body responsible for drawing boundaries-References:

 

Requirements on the right to vote

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

A citizen of nineteen years of age or above has the right to vote in Presidential elections and the National Assembly elections. A citizen who is nineteen years of age or above and is registered as a resident in the relevant constituency as of the date of the preparation of the voters list has the right to vote in local elections.

Requirements on the right to vote-References:

 

Reasons for having the right to vote revoked

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

1. A person who is declared incompetent.

 

2. A person who is sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or a heavier punishment but whose sentence has not been completed or whose sentence has not been exempted.

 

3. A person who commits an election crime, who violates the Public Official Election Act or the Political Fund Act, or who commits crimes in connection with the duties while in office as the President, a member of the National Assembly, a member of a local council, or a head of local government.

 

4. A person whose right to vote is suspended or forfeited according to a court ruling or other acts.

Reasons for having the right to vote revoked-References:

 

Electoral Eligibility

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

A citizen who is forty years of age or above and who has resided in the country for at least five years as of election day is eligible to run in Presidential elections. In a case where a Korean citizen has been sent to another country for a certain period as part of public service or a Korean citizen has lived abroad for a certain period but retained domicile status in the Republic of Korea, that period shall be deemed to contribute to fulfilling the criteria.

 

A citizen of twenty five years of age or above is eligible to stand in elections to become a member of the National Assembly.

 

A national who has registered as a resident in the relevant constituency for sixty consecutive days or longer as of election day and is twenty five years of age or above is eligible to stand in elections for the relevant local council members and the head of the local government.

Electoral Eligibility-References:

 

Reasons for having the eligibility revoked

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Any of the following persons as of election day shall be ineligible to run in an election:

 

1. A person who falls under Article 18.1 (A person who is declared incompetent), 18.3 (A person who commits an election crime, who commits the crimes), or 18.4 (A person whose voting franchise is suspended or forfeited according to a decision by court or pursuant to other acts).

 

2. A person who is sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or a heavier punishment and whose sentence has not been not invalidated.

 

3. A person whose eligibility for election is suspended or forfeited by a court judgment or by any other act.

 

4. A person who has faced punishment or a fine for a crime under Article 230.6 (vote buying) of the Public Official Election Act and ten years have not yet passed since their sentence was passed down (including a person who had this sentence invalidated).  

(Public Official Election Act, Article 19)

Reasons for having the eligibility revoked-References:

 

Requirements for party registration

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Establishing a political party requires a central political party office to be registered with the National Election Commission after it has formed more than five Si/Do party offices. Each Si/Do party shall have a thousand or more members registered as residents in the corresponding Si/Do.

Requirements for party registration-References:

 

Candidate nomination

Last Updated : 2016-08-03

Recommendation of candidates by political parties

 

1. Proportional representation members of the National Assembly and proportional representation members of local councils:  Women candidates must be placed at every odd number on the proportional representation list, ensuring at least 50% of all candidates are women.

 

2. Constituency members of the National Assembly and constituency members of local councils: A political party shall make efforts to recommend not less than 50% women candidates nationwide for constituency members.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 47)

(For further information, please refer to the following website.

http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/01_07.jsp)

 

Recommendation of candidates by electors:

 

If a person who is not a member of a political party stands in an election, they must be endorsed by a set number of electors depending on the election.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 48)

Candidate nomination-References:

 

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members)

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Requirements: Documents showing property, military service records, criminal records, certificates of final academic backgrounds, tax payment history over the last 5 years and financial delinquency shall be submitted to the competent election commission during the candidate registration period.

 

-       Period: Two days from the 24th day before election day for Presidential elections, and from the 20th day before election day for National Assembly elections, a local council member and the head of a local government. Applications for candidate registration shall be accepted from 9:00 am through to 6 pm. both days, regardless of statutory holidays.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 49-(1))

 

-       Registration process: A candidate or a proxy shall apply for candidate registration in writing to the competent constituency election commission.

 

-       Application form: Includes the name of the election, political party to which a candidate belongs, name of candidate, resident registration number, address, occupation, academic background and career background.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 49.4 1~7)

 

-       Acceptance and notice: The competent constituency election commission shall, upon receiving an application for candidate registration, immediately accept the application as long as it meets the requirements.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 49.8)

 

-       When a candidate is registered, resigns his office or dies or his registration becomes nullified, the constituency election commission concerned shall immediately notify the public , make report to its superior election commission and notify its subordinate election commission.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 55)

 

-       Restriction/prohibition on candidate registration: Public officials and any other persons working in specified fields who are restricted from becoming a candidate due to their position shall resign  by 90 days before election day. After registering, if a candidate is found to be ineligible for the election or if they have breached other requirements, an election commission shall nullify the registration.

Candidate Registration (National Assembly members) -References:

 

Candidate registration deposit

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

- Deposit

A deposit system has been adopted in order to prevent a large number of frivolous candidates and to guarantee the sincerity of candidates.

 

 

-  Deposit Reimbursement

In proportional representation member elections, the full deposit shall be returned if any candidate is elected from among the party list. However, if a candidate withdraws before the election result is declared or has their registration nullified, the deposit shall not be returned. In the case of Presidential and constituency member elections, the full deposit shall be returned if that candidate is elected, obtains more than 15% or more of valid votes or passes away. Half of the deposit shall be returned when a candidate obtains more than 10% but less than 15% of the valid votes.

Candidate registration deposit-References:

 

Uncontested Election

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

If the number of registered candidates in a constituency does not exceed the assigned number of seats in that constituency in that election, the relevant election commission shall notify registered voters of an uncontested election 10 days before election day.

(By-laws on the Management of Public Official Elections Article 109)

Uncontested Election -References:

 

Preparation of the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

- Civil Registry System
- Whenever an election is held, a head of Gu/Si/Gun prepares the computerized voters list by voting district on their authority using the resident register (in the case of local elections, this also includes residents who are non-Korean citizens).

Preparation of the voters list-References:

 

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Voter registration is a prerequisite for voting, but not compulsory. Votes casted by those who are not registered on the voters list are regarded as invalid votes. (By-laws on the Management of Public Official Elections Article 100.2 2)

Whether the registration is compulsory (or not)-References:

 

Who is responsible for the voters list

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

- The head of a Gu/Si,/Gun shall survey, by voting district, persons who have the right to vote, whose resident registration has been made, or whose domestic domicile status have been reported to the relevant district, as of 28 days before a Presidential election day or 22 days National Assembly, local council member, or the head of a local government elections, and shall then prepare the voters list within five days.

- Voters lists shall be prepared under the supervision of the competent Gu/Si/Gun election commission and the competent Eup/Myeon/Dong election commission.

 

(Public Official Election Act Article 37)

Who is responsible for the voters list -References:

 

Voters list preparation procedure

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Preparation time: A voters list is compiled whenever an election is held.

-       Method: An ex officio registration system wherehe head of Gu/Si/Gun has the authority to compile the voters list and the registration system for home voters and shipboard voters.

Voters list preparation procedure -References:

 

Inspection and objection procedure

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Any voter may freely view the voters list (a voter may only see their own details when viewing on the website of the Gu/Si/Gun offices). A Voter may request for a correction if they find an omitted or misspelled entry on the voters list by filing an objection or appeal.  When a voter is found to be omitted from the voters list incorrectly, they may request that the competent Gu/Si/Gun election commission to include the omitted name on the list by providing supporting documents.

Inspection and objection procedure -References:

 

Definition

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

The term "election campaign" refers to any act for winning an election, or an act for the benefit of another person becoming or not becoming elected. However, any of the following acts shall not be deemed an election campaign:

1. A simple statement of opinion or manifestation of an intention for the election.

2. An act of preparing candidacy and an election campaign.

3. A simple statement of opinion of support or opposition to the recommendation of a political partys candidate, or manifestation of an intention thereof.

4. Ordinary political party activities.

5. Sending a text message as courtesy greetings on a holiday, such as Lunar New Year’s Day, Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day), Buddha’s Birthday, and Christmas Day.

(Public Official Election Act Article 58)

Definition-References:

 

Period

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Election campaigning is allowed from the starting day of the election period to the day before election day. For Presidential elections, the starting day of the election period is the day after the candidate registration deadline. For other public official elections, the starting day of the election period is  six days after the candidate registration deadline. ?

Period -References:

 

Methods

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Candidates are allowed to conduct the following forms of campaigning during the election campaign period after completing the process of candidate registration:

-        Campaigns using facilities

-        Campaigns by persons in charge of election campaign affairs

-        Campaigns using posters & various forms of literature

-        Campaigns in public places (markets, squares, etc.)

-        Campaigns using the mass media

-        Interviews & debates with candidates

-        Campaigns using the information and communications network

(Further details for each category, please refer to the following website.

 http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/01_08.jsp )

Methods-References:

 

Prohibited forms of campaigning

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Prohibited forms of campaigning:

-        Prohibition on pre-election campaigns & acts of giving illegal gratuities

-        Prohibition on public officials' activities affecting elections

-        Prohibition on election campaigns by organizations or institutions.

-        Restrictions on door-to-door visits

-        Prohibition on publication of survey results during specified periods

-        Restrictions on political activity reports during specified periods

-        Prohibition on using illegal campaign organizations or private organizations

-        Restrictions on certain election-related activities of political parties

 

(Further details for each category, please refer to the following website.

 http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/01_08.jsp)

Prohibited forms of campaigning-References:

 

Campaign Finance

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Campaign expense limits

-       Income and expenditure of campaign expenses

-       Report, public inspection, and transparency regarding income and expenditure

-       Investigation of income and expenditure during election campaigns

-       Reimbursement of campaign expenses

                    i.          Reason for reimbursement

                    ii.         Requirement for reimbursement.

                   iii.         Restrictions on reimbursement.

 

(Further details for each category, please refer to the following website.

 http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/02_elections/01_09.jsp)?

Campaign Finance-References:

 

Presiding officers

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

①     Number of staff in a polling station: One presiding officer in charge of vote management and between five and ten polling staff in each voting precinct (the number depending on the size of each polling station).

(Public Official Election Act, Article 146. 2 1)

 

②     Roles of each member of staff

-       Polling station managers : Supervise all procedures during voting hours

-       2-3 staff: Verify a voter’s identity

-       2 staff: Issue ballot papers

-       1 staff: Supervise ballot boxes

-       1 staff: Compile voting logs

-       1 staff: Assist and guide voters during voting

 

③     How staff are chosen: Gu/Si/Gun election commission shall commission polling station managers from among public officials who work for the state or  local government or school employees. (Public Official Election Act, Article 146.2 2) A Eup/Myeon/Dong election commission shall select polling staff from among the following persons:

1.     State public officials and local government officials:  However, excluding public officials working in the fields of, correction, protection, prosecutory affairs, narcotics investigation, immigration control,railroad police, ,administrative service, extraordinary service other than educational public officials, and public officials in political service.

2.     Teachers and staff from schools;

3.     Employees of banks;

4.     Employees of agencies specified  in Article 53.1 4 through 6;

5.     Impartial and neutral persons who have an ability to assist with voting affairs.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 147.9)

Presiding officers-References:

 

Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with: Polling booths, ballot boxes, seats for observers, other facilities necessary for the management of voting. In regard to early voting’, ballot paper printers are also required in polling stations.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 147.5)

Facilities or items a polling station is equipped with-References:

 

Polling station location criteria

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Usually schools within the relevant precinct, governmental offices, such as Eup/Myeon/Dong offices, public institutions, offices of organizations or community centers are selected where the voters may conveniently make their voting. However, military camps and religious facilities are not allowed.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 147.2 and 147.4)

Polling station location criteria-References:

 

Voting hours

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

- Voting and early voting: from 6am to 6pm

- By-elections: from 6am to 8pm

(Public Official Election Act, Article 155.1)

Voting hours-References:

 

Voting

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

①     Is voting compulsory?

Voting is not compulsory in the Republic of Korea.

 

②     How many ballot papers are distributed to each voter?

Every voter is allowed one vote in each election. During Presidential elections, each voter casts one ballot. In National Assembly elections, each voter receives two ballots, one in order to cast a vote for their constituency National Assembly member and one to cast a ballot for a party in proportional representation elections for National Assembly elections. In simultaneous local elections, a voter can receive more than two ballots depending on the number of elected positions in their constituency.

Voting -References:

 

Ballot Paper

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

①     Determination of the order of candidates on ballots

-       The candidates on the ballot shall be in numerical order based on the following criteria:

I.       Political parties that hold seats in the National Assembly, in order of how many seats each party holds.

II.     Political parties that do not hold any seats in the National Assembly, in Korean alphabetical order according to the name of each party.

III.    Independent candidates, by a random draw at a competent election commission.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 150.3)          

 

②     What has to be included in the ballot paper?

-       Marks of the candidates

-       Names of political parties to which the party-recommended candidates belong

-       Names of candidates shall be indicated on the ballot papers

-       Independent candidates shall be indicated as "independent" in the column in which the names of political parties appear

-       (Only in the elections for proportional representation members of National Assembly and of local councils) the marks and names of the political parties which are recommending the candidates shall be indicated.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 150.1)      

 

③     Ballot paper design or sample ballot paper

 

④     Valid and invalid ballot papers

Ballot Paper-References:

 

Voting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Start of voting: The voting starts at 6am after polling station officers have checked ballot boxes and the inside and outside of polling booths for defects in the attendance of poll observers.

-       Voting process: Identification on the voters list  => Receive a ballot paper => Vote at a polling booth => Inserting the ballot into a ballot box

-       End of voting: 6pm (for by-elections, by 8pm). However, if there are voters waiting in line for voting at the closing time of voting, a polling station will be closed after voters are given a ticket number to cast their ballots.

Voting Procedures -References:

 

Marking method

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

A voter must use the balloting aid on which "” mark is carved. However, home voters may use an "○" mark using a pen or pencil.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 159)

Marking method-References:

 

Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

①     Eligible voters

- Early Voting: Any voter is eligible to use early voting.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 158.1)

- Home and shipboard voting:

1. A person who performs his/her service in a military base or aboard a military vessel located too far away from the nearest advance polling station or a regular polling station to vote.

2. A person who has been admitted for a long time in a hospital, sanatorium, asylum center, prison, or detention center.

3. A person who is unable to move freely due to serious physical disability.

4. A person who resides in an island specified by Regulations of the National Election Commission, among remote and isolated islands too far away for inhabitants to vote at the nearest advance polling station or regular polling station.

5. A person specified by Regulations of the National Election Commission as a person who stays for a long time in an area in which it is impracticable to install an advance polling station or regular polling station.

6. A seafarer who falls under paragraph (2).

(Public Official Election Act, Article 38.4)

 

②     Voting procedures

-        Early voting: Opening of the polls → Separating district and out-of-district voters → verifying voter ID → issuance of ballot papers → voting → ion of ballots into ballot box → poll-closing → counting the number of voters and hand-over of voting material → observation of the voting process

-        Home voting: An abode voter shall choose one candidate, put a mark in the corresponding column of the balloting paper received from the competent Gu/Si/Gun election commission, put the ballot paper into the envelop for return, seal the envelop, and then dispatch the envelop by registered mail.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 158.2

-        Shipboard voting:

①     A shipmaster shall set the date and time of shipboard voting during a period between eight and five days before the election day and shall install a shipboard polling place, including equipment for transmitting shipboard votes by facsimile after voting ,while ensuring the secrecy of shipboard voter’s ballots.

②      A shipmaster shall appoint one or more fair and impartial citizens of the Republic of Korea to attend as observers from among seafarers who are on board the ship

③      On shipboard voting polling day, a shipmaster and observers shall put their signatures on the ballot paper and give the ballot paper and separate envelop to the shipboard voter.

④      A shipboard voter shall mark one candidate on the ballot paper and then transmit it directly to the competent Si/Do election commission by facsimile installed at the shipboard polling place.

⑤      A shipboard voter who has finished transmitting their shipboard vote shall seal it in an envelope by themselves and submit it to the shipmaster.

⑥      Upon completion of shipboard voting, the shipmaster shall prepare the record of the management of shipboard voting, transmit the record by facsimile to the Si/Do election commission by no later than the day immediately before the election day

(Public Official Election Act, Article 158.3)

Special voting (Absentee / Early / Proxy / Assisted / Postal / etc)-References:

 

Counting Location

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Separate ballot counting centers are established within the jurisdiction of the relevant Gu/Si/Gun Election Commission.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 173.1)

Counting Location-References:

 

Counting period

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

When voting is finished at 6pm, ballot boxes are sent to the counting centers and counting begins.

Counting period-References:

 

Vote counting method

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

Ballots are manually sorted and aligned first before ballot sorting and counting machines, which have been used since the 3rd general local elections in official 2002, sort ballots by candidate. They are then counted again manually. Optical ballot sorting and counting machines are used to ensure accuracy and prevent any errors in the sorting of ballots.

Vote counting method-References:

 

Counting Procedures

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

-       Start of counting: When the ballot boxes arrive at the counting center after the closing of voting at 6pm, counting begins.      

-       Counting process: Opening of ballot boxes => Unfolding and aligning ballot papers => Ballots placed into the optical ballot sorting and counting machine => Examination, verification, tabulation (manual counting of unclassified ballot papers, examination of classified ballots) => Announcement of results by voting district.

-       End of counting: Announcement of results by constituency, preparation of counting reports.

Counting Procedures-References:

 

When are ballots recounted?

Last Updated : 2016-06-14

If an election lawsuit is filed and it is ruled that ballots need to be recounted or if a serious fault was found during the counting process, ballots can be recounted by a decision from a committee-meeting at the counting center.

When are ballots recounted?-References:

 

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

1. Any person who leaves Korea before the commencement date of the period for early voting and is scheduled to return home after election day.

 

2. Any person who will not return to Korea until after election day because the citizen stays or lives in a foreign country.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 218.4)

Who is eligible to vote for overseas voting?-References:

 

Overseas voters list preparation

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

The National Election Commission shall prepare the overseas voters list according to applications for registration from overseas citizens sent by overseas presiding officials for ten days from 49 days to 40 days before election day. Applications are based on the last domestic address or the basic place of registration as of the expiration date of the period for application for registration of overseas electors. In cases where a person is found to have filed two or more applications for overseas voter registration, the overseas voters list shall be prepared based on the last accepted application for overseas voter registration.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 218.8 1)

Overseas voters list preparation -References:

 

Where to vote

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

An overseas election commission shall install and operate an overseas polling place in an embassy or consulate for a fixed period of not exceeding six days in the period from 14 days to nine days before election day.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 218.17 1)

Where to vote-References:

 

Voting procedure for early voting

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

1.     Verifying of a voter’s ID

2.     Ballot paper(s) and return address label for the return envelope are printed using the ballot paper printer

3.     Return address label is attached on the return envelope

4.      Ballot paper(s) and return envelopes are issued to the voter

5.     Voters mark their ballot paper with the marking stamp provided in the polling booth

6.     Voters fold the marked ballot, place it into the return envelope, seal the envelope using the  tape on the envelope, and exit the polling booth

7.     Voters their return envelope into the ballot box and leave the polling station

Voting procedure for early voting-References:

 

Methods used to transport ballot papers

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

Diplomatic pouch

(Public Official Election Act, Article 136.23)

Methods used to transport ballot papers-References:

 

Counting procedure

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

Overseas ballots are transferred and counted alongside other ballots on election day.

Counting procedure-References:

 

How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

-       Presidential elections:  When two or more candidates have an equal number of votes, the National Election Commission notifies the National Assembly, who then elect the President by a simple majority of the members present.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 187.2)

 

-       Elections for Constituency Members of the National Assembly: When two or more candidates have an equal number of votes, the oldest candidate will be elected.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 188.1)

How is the elected candidate chosen in the case of a tie?-References:

 

Apportioning of National Assembly seats

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

The National Election Commission shall allocate seats for proportional representation members of the National Assembly to each political party which has obtained three percent or more of the total valid votes in the proportional representation member’s ballot or five or more seats in elections for constituency members of the National Assembly.  The seats are allocated by the proportion of valid proportional representation member’s ballots.(Public Official Election Act, Article 189)

Apportioning of National Assembly seats-References:

 

Results Announcement

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

The National Election Commission announces the candidate who has obtained the largest amount of valid votes as the elected candidate, and notifies the Speaker of the National Assembly thereof.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 187)

Results Announcement-References:

 

Is the announcement of preliminary result required?

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

N/A

Is the announcement of preliminary result required? -References:

 

Deadline for announcement of final results

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

Not specifically stipulated in any act or bylaws, but usually final results are announced within 12 hours of the closing of a polling station.

Deadline for announcement of final results-References:

 

Reason for holding a by- or re-election

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

-       By-election: If the office of any constituency member of the National Assembly, any constituency member of a local council or the head of a local government becomes vacant, a special election shall be held.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 200)

 

-       Re-election:  A re-election shall be held in the following cases:

 

1. Where there is no candidate for the constituency concerned.

2. Where there is no elected person, or in elections for members of autonomous Gu/Si/Gun councils, the number of the elected persons fails to reach the full number of local council members to be elected in the constituency concerned.

3. Where the whole invalidation of the election is ruled or decided.

4. Where the elected candidate has resigned or died before his term begins.

5. Where the election becomes invalidated.

 

(Public Official Election Act, Article 195)

Reason for holding a by- or re-election-References:

 

By-election dates

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

The first Wednesday in April.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 35)?

By-election dates-References:

 

Electoral process

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

Same as the voting and counting processes for regular elections, but voting hours are extended for two hours, meaning polls are open from 6am to 8pm.

Electoral process-References:

 

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

A candidate may run an advertisement not exceeding one minute giving details of the platforms or policies of the candidate’s political party, the candidate’s political views and other related information using television or radio broadcasting facilities during the election campaign period.  

1. Presidential elections: Up to 30 times during the election campaign period for television and radio broadcasts respectively.

2. Elections for proportional representation members of the National Assembly: Up to 15 times for television and radio broadcasts respectively.

3. Gubernatorial elections: Up to five times for television and radio broadcasts using local broadcasting facilities respectively.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 70)

Criteria for allocating free broadcast time-References:

 

Television debates

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

The National Election Broadcasting Debates Commission (NEBDC) shall hold interviews or debates during Presidential elections and elections for proportional representation members of the National Assembly under the conditions as prescribed in each of the following subparagraphs during an election campaign period: 

1.     Presidential elections: Three or more times, inviting one or more candidates;

2.     Election of proportional representation members of the National Assembly: Two or more times,  inviting at designated representatives, who must either be candidates on the party list or party representatives that are allowed to conduct election campaigning, from at least two political parties. 

(Public Official Election Act, Article 82-2)

Television debates-References:

 

Blackout period for release of election survey results

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

No one shall publish or report, by quoting, the details or results of an election survey that makes it possible to predict the approval rating of each political party or the outcome of an election from six days before the election day until the close of polls.  

(Public Official Election Act, Article 108)

Blackout period for release of election survey results-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution body

Last Updated : 2016-08-03

? Electoral dispute resolution body

-       Elections for proportional representatives of local councils and heads of local governments: The relevant Si/Do Election Commission hears the original case, but appeals may be taken to the  Supreme Court
(Public Official Election Act, Article 219)

-       Elections for constituency members of Si/Do councils, autonomous Gu/Si/Gun council members and heads of autonomous Gus/Sis/Guns: The relevant High Court hears the original case, but appeals may be taken to the Supreme Court.
(Public Official Election Act, Article 219)

-       Presidential and National Assembly elections: Supreme Court
(Public Official Election Act, Article 222)

?

Electoral dispute resolution body-References:

 

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

-       Receiving a petition in writing → Decision made within 60 days → Providing a certified copy of the decision and announcing the decision summary
(Public Official Election Act, Article 219, 220)

Electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

-       There’s no alternative mechanism such as reconciliation, arbitration or mediation for electoral disputes.

Alternative electoral dispute resolution mechanism-References:

 

Direct public funding

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

Political funds include membership fees, contributions, deposits, subsidies, extra revenues prescribed by the party constitution and regulations, money or marketable securities and goods provided for political activities.

 

-       Eligibility criteria for direct public funding: Representation in the National Assembly and share of votes in the previous election
(Political Fund Act, Article 27)

 

-       Allocation of funding

n  Subsidies : Subsidies are distributed according to the standard rate as following:
① 50 percent of the subsidies is equally distributed to political parties that have formed a negotiation body in the National Assembly (minimum of 20 seats required)
② Political parties with between five and 19 National Assembly members are each subsidized with five percent of the total subsidies.
③ Political parties that have either polled at least two percent  of the votes in the last National Assembly member elections held due to the expiry of term, or who polled under two percent of the votes but managed to win at least one seat in the Assembly,  or a political party that has either polled at least 0.5% of the votes in the last local elections where party nominations are permitted receive two percent of the total subsidies.

 

n  Contributions: Deposit money is paid to the central party office of political parties within fourteen days from the last day of the applicable quarter, according to the distribution rate of the National Subsidies at the time of payment. Subsidies are paid to the central party office within 14 days of the end of the relevant quarter according to the subsidy distribution ratio.

Direct public funding-References:

 

Private funding of political parties

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

Private funding of political parties is not allowed in Korea. Every foreigner, corporation or organization both foreign and domestic are prohibited from contributing any political funds, and no person may do so on their behalf.

(Political Funds Act, Article 31)

Private funding of political parties-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation

Last Updated : 2016-08-03

-        Political fund spending: Political funds shall only be used for political activities, not for personal expenses or wrongful purposes. For the transparent use of political funds, anyone who makes a single contribution of more than 1.2 million Korean won ($1,200 USD)  or who makes a single expenditure using political funds of more than 500,000 Korean won ($500 USD) shall donate or spend in ways in which it is possible to verify the person’s real name (such as by check, credit card or account transfer). In addition, if candidates or preliminary candidates for public office make a single expenditure using political funds of more than 200,000 Korean won ($200 USD), they must do so under their real name such as by check, credit card or account transfer. Furthermore, annual cash spending shall not exceed 20 percent of the annual total amount of spending (10 percent in the case of election expenses).

 

-        Restriction on the contribution of political funds: Foreign nationals, foreign or domestic corporate bodies or organizations are prohibited from contributing political funds. If anyone contributes political funds of more than 3 million Korean won ($3,000 USD) in a year (more than 5 million Korean won or $5,000 USD, when donated to Political Fundraising Associations for Presidential candidates and other candidates), the amount donated and the contributor’s personal details shall be open to the public. Contributions must be made in the contributor’s real name.

Regulation, monitoring and investigation-References:

 

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

?All reports related to political fund spending must be reported to the relevant Election Commission.?

Regulation, monitoring and investigation bodies-References:

 

Which electoral processes are using ICTs?

Last Updated : 2016-05-12

Form of ICT	Catagory	Explanation
Election Information Library	General administration - Archive Management - Information system	The library contains a database with a variety of content that has been gathered and stored by the NEC so that electoral stakeholders such as candidates, voters, academic researchers can easily access material and academic articles related to elections.
National Election Commission Homepage	PR - Information - Information system	As the main homepage of the NEC of the Republic of Korea, this site offers prompt information and promotional content on elections to all constituents in order to create a beautiful election culture
Cyber (Digital) Evidence Analysis System	Investigation and Enforcement on Election Campaign - Cyber Investigation and Enforcement - Information System	This system searches for clue to help the investigation by exposing any organized election crimes on the Internet through the analysis on a variety of keywords related to elections and by conducting real-time analysis on posts pertaining to elections while looking at the similarities of the posts and its relation to elections.
Cyber Automatic Search System	Investigation and Enforcement on Campaigns - Cyber Investigation and Enforcement - Information System	This system fosters a law-abiding electoral environment on the internet by automatically searching any posts or comments that are in violation of the Election Act and s it promptly.
System to Vote Aboard a Ship (Shipboard Voting)	Election Management - Management of Shipboard Voting	This system allows sailors that are either working or going/returning to/from abroad to vote while aboard a ship. The ballots are sent to the ship via a fax machine which then the voters may fill out the ballot and send their vote back to the NEC via fax once again.
Election Management - Counting Management	Election Management - Counting Management	In order to enhance the speed and accuracy of the counting process, a ballot sorting machine was first introduced in 2002 to improve the efficiency of the counting procedures and is being used for public office elections and elections entrusted to the NEC such as elections for the President of National Universities and Heads of National Cooperative Federations.
Ballot Paper Issuance Program	Election Management - Voting Management	This program is connected nationwide to roughly 3,500 polling stations through a central server and network. Voters can visit the nearest early voting polling station and is issued a ballot paper on the spot according to the individual voter's information.
Touch-Screen Voting System	Elections Entrusted to NEC - Election Management - Voting Management	This system has various voting methods without producing any invalid votes and allows for a very prompt counting process. Voters simply choose the candidate of their choice by touching the appropriate section of the screen and the results will then be encrypted and saved digitally.
Online Voting	Elections Entrusted to NEC - Election Management Entrusted to NEC - Voting Management	This system allows those who can not make it to the voting location, or who cannot go at the set time, to vote through via their mobile phones or PC. A message is sent to the voter with a personal link to a webpage where they can confirm their identity and follow the instructions to cast their vote.
Korean Civic Education Institute for Democracy (KOCEI) Homepage	Civic Education - Training - Information System	KOCEI Homepage works towards providing information, training requests, and material related to the training and education undertaken by the institute and is composed of sections on civic education, on-the-job training, international exchange and cooperation, research material on the electoral system and more.
Unfair Election Report Monitoring System	Campaign Investigation and Enforcement - Internet Media - Investigation and Enforcement of Internet Media	This system monitors any unfair election news coverage by collecting, searching and storing information on major news reports that have been published on search engines, media's webpages and phone applications.
Website for Policy Pledge Notices	Campaign Investigation and Enforcement - Campaigns - Information System	This system notifies citizens of the policy pledges made by political parties, candidates, and the elected candidates through their webpage and citizens can easily access information on different policies, which contributes to creating an environment where people can vote for policies.
Request to Receive Campaign Fliers System	Election Management - Election Campaigns	This system allows military personnel or police officers to apply on the internet to receive candidates' or political parties' campaign fliers to be sent to them. This system allows military personnel or police officers to view the campaign fliers and participate in elections fully.
Election Management System	Election Management - Elections	The election management system was established to deal with reports and requests made online about candidates and political parties and manages the different work of the NEC and the Eup/Myeon/Dong Commissions.
Mobile App for Election Information	Election Management - Information System	This application was established so citizens can easily access various information on elections (election calendar, candidates, early voting polling stations, polling stations, voting and counting process, the elected candidates etc) on mobile devices in real-time.
Election Statistics System	Election Management - Information System	This system was established so citizens can access various information on elections (election calendar, number of voters, candidates, early voting polling stations, polling stations, voting and counting process, information on the elected and etc) through the internet in real-time.
Provision of Election Information System	Election Management - Information System	This system was established for the provision of information on elections to the media, search engines, and other outlets and gives citizens a variety of ways to check all information related to elections.
Voting and Counting Process Report System	Election Management - Voting and Counting Management	This system was established to promptly and accurately report on the voting status in polling stations, the counting status at counting stations, and the election results.
Service to Search for Your Polling Station	Election Management - Voting Management	Voters are only permitted to vote at the polling station they are registered at on the day of elections. Therefore, this system was established to allow voters to search for their designated polling station by inputting their personal information.
Integrated Voters List System	Election Management – Election Management - Early Voting Management	The NEC uses a computerized voters list that is compiled from different lists from each voting district created by corresponding Gu/Si/Gun Commission heads to create one integrated voters list. This integrated voters list allows the early voting polling stations to verify the voting rights of an individual at any early voting polling station in the country, which allows polling stations to issue ballot papers to voters on the spot.
Overseas Election Management System	Electoral Management - Overseas Election Management - Elections	This system was established to allow diplomatic offices abroad to deal with the administrative work related to overseas voting for Presidential and National Assembly elections. In order to create an overseas voters list, this system shares information between different government agencies and this allows the NEC to verify the voting rights of the applicants.
Internet Report ? Application System	Election Management - Overseas Election Management - Voters List	This system was established so that overseas voters and absentee voters can register and declare their status abroad through the internet for Presidential and National Assembly elections, which guarantees the political right to vote for citizens residing and living abroad.
Antivirus System	General Administration - Antivirus Management - Information System	This system creates a safe work environment by reinforcing PC security to address any viruses, worms, or other attacks on a PC while also constantly updating its antivirus patterns in order to counteract any type of newly developed viruses.
Integrated Communications Network Control System	General Administration - Security Management - Information System	As an operating system that constantly monitors the communication systems of the Commission, this system was established to quickly respond to and prevent any accidents or defects that may occur in the control process
Investigation and Enforcement Management System	Campaign Investigation and Enforcement - Investigation and Enforcement - Information System	This system has a computerized database to efficiently manage data on investigation and enforcement materials pertaining to violations against political laws. The database is then used to manage the statistical data on the violations against election law and share the individual background information on a violator.
Election Legislation Information Homepage	Regulation Information - Legislation Management - Information System	For the development of elections in the Republic of Korea, the election legislation information homepage provides content reflecting voters interest in electoral law according to specific topics such as the Public Official Election Act, the Political Party Act, the Political Fund Act. By utilizing information such as judicial precedents, Q&A, and notice boards, the homepage acts as a guide to help the voters' understanding of laws pertaining to elections.

 

When it was introduced

Last Updated : 2016-05-12

Gender equality

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

-       Subsidies for fielding female candidates in elections for public office: Subsidies, which amount to multiplying 100 Korean won ($0.10 USD) by the total number of eligible voters in the previous election, shall be distributed and paid to political parties that field at least 30% female candidates for constituency member elections. .
(Political Fund Act Article 26)

 

-       Female candidate quotas (Public Official Election Act Article 47): Elections for proportional representation members of the National Assembly:  Political candidates must nominate female candidates at every odd number of the closed-party list, ensuring that female candidates make up at least 50% of the total number of candidates.

Ø  In addition, parties should work to recommend no less than 30% of the total number of candidates for constituency members nationwide are female.

Gender equality-References:

 

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters

Last Updated : 2016-10-19

-  For Mobility Impaired Voters

①     All polling stations shall be set up on the 1st floor or in a building with a lift.

②     Transportation for those who have difficulty travelling such as the elderly or people with disabilities is provided.

③     An adjustable ramp should be provided at polling stations.

④     A paper-based polling booth may be set up temporarily to accommodate for all types of wheelchair.

⑤     Production and distribution of newly developed wrist-type and mouth-type voting-aid devices.

 

- For Visually Impaired Voters

①     Special ballot paper for the blind.

②     The relevant Election Commission produces election campaign material in Braille for visually impaired electors.

 

- For Hearing Impaired Voters

①      Voter's guide video clip prepared with sign language

②     Sign language interpreters shall be placed in each Gu/Si/Gun Election Commission.

③     Sign language and subtitles will be provided simultaneously during candidate debates.

 

- For Voters with Developmental Disabilities

Voter's guide leaflets and animation video clips

Voting and counting mock trials and other events for hands-on voting experience
(Public Official Election Act, Articles 6.2, 65. 4, 70.6, 82-2.12), 151.8)

Aids for disabled or handicapped voters -References:

 

Voter education

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

In order to increase the awareness and accessibility to information for an upcoming election, the NEC utilizes its website and other media such as youtube, cartoons, blogs, infographics etc.

Please refer to the following websites:

http://www.nec.go.kr/global/bbs/list/B0000311.do?menuNo=300012&lang=en, http://www.nec.go.kr/engvote_2013/04_news/04_01.jsp

http://nec.go.kr/portal/subMain.do?menuNo=200192

Voter education-References:

 

National civic education

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

       i.         Promotion to enhance citizenship

The NEC educates students on elections and political systems during each level of the curriculum and promotes elections to new voters before and after ‘Coming-of-age Day’ to foster democratic citizenship and create a culture of fair elections.

The NEC provides election information to publicize opinion leaders on a regular basis and conducts national campaigns through which it provides lectures on fair elections and hosts events such as symposiums, discussions and local festivals.

 

      ii.         Education at the Korea Civic Education Institute for Democracy (KOCEI)

KOCEI, established within the NEC, provides education on elections, supports organization officials, college students, teachers and the general public as well as commissioners and employees of the NEC, and develops and distributes educational materials.

 

     iii.         Arrangement of democratic citizenship education in preparation for reunification

The NEC has undertaken systematic research on democratic citizenship education regarding the integration of South and North Korea after reunification.

National civic education-References:

 

EMB Staff education

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

KOCEI also organizes on-the-job education or job training for election officials. There are two types of training, on-the-job training and online content. Around Eighteen and seventeen courses respectively are set up per year, respectively.

EMB Staff education-References:

 

Domestic observation

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

A political party, candidate, election campaign manager or a chief liaison officer may register two election observers per polling station with the relevant Eup/Myeon/Dong Election Commission. Each polling station may have a maximum of eight observers, and therefore if the relevant Election Commission receives more than eight applications, the observers are chosen by lottery. If the number of registered observers is below four, the relevant Eup/Myeon/Dong Election Commission may appoint observers with the consent of the electorate to ensure each polling station has a minimum of four observers.

 

A person who is not a citizen of the Republic of Korea, a minor, a disfranchised person or a candidate may not be an observer.

(Public Official Election Act, Article 161, 162)

Domestic observation-References:

 

International observation

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

No specific article or regulations for international observers.?

International observation-References:

 

Partnerships/MoUs

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

- The NEC and CEC of Georgia (MoU)

- The NEC and the National Electoral Council of Venezuela (MoU)

- The NEC and the Election Commission of India (ECI) (MoU)

- The NEC and the Department of Elections of Sri Lana in Colombo, Sri Lanka  (MoU)

- The NEC and the Tribunal Superior Electoral of Brazil (MoU)

- The NEC and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of China (MoU)

- The NEC and the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation (MoU)

- The NEC and the Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan (MoU)

- The NEC and the Peru National Electoral Tribunal (MoU)

- The NEC and the National Electoral Council of Ecuador (MoU)

- The NEC and the Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission (MoU)

- The NEC and the international Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

- The NEC and the International Institute for Democracy and Election Assistance

- The NEC and the General Election Commission of Mongolia

- The NEC and the Australian Electoral Commission

- The NEC and Bangladesh Election Commission

- The NEC and Election Commission Nepal

Partnerships/MoUs-References:

 

International Activities

Last Updated : 2016-06-15

 i.        Seoul International Forum on Elections (SIFE)

The Seoul International Forum on Elections is held annually during the spring and is forum in order for established experts in the field to come together to discuss issues related to election management, share ideas and debate how to make elections around the world cleaner, fairer and more inclusive.

 

The National Election Commission (NEC) invites some of the most prominent organizations and experts in the field of elections, including professionals from other election management bodies, to speak at the forum in line with its commitment to international cooperation. SIFE is now establishing itself as an important part of the election management community calendar, with 120 participants from around the world taking part in 2016.

 

The forum is a one-day event, with the day split into three sessions on topics chosen by the NEC. These topics are chosen according to the trends of election management and with the input of the various departments and affiliated organizations of the NEC. The forum is held in a prominent venue in Seoul, and speakers are also given the opportunity to visit the NEC office and learn more about the Korean election and political system during their visit.

 

ii.        International Election Visitor Program

 

Unlike traditional election observations, the NEC’s International Election Visitor Program focuses on exchanging election knowledge and experience between the NEC and participants, and among the participants themselves. The program usually covers a week, allowing participants to be briefed before voting and to observe both early voting and the voting process on election day. In addition, the participants also take part in a post-election debriefing in which they share their views on what they have seen during the program, opinions and views on election management and their thoughts on how election processes can be improved and developed. The NEC provides funding and support for participants, allowing election officials from around the world to attend and ensuring a diverse range of views on election management. Over 120 participants from election management bodies, international organizations and election-related companies took part in the successful International Election Visitor Program for the 2014 local elections.

 

iii.        Seminar for the Improvement of Election Laws and Systems 

 

The Seminar for the Improvement of Election Laws and Systems is held annually in the Autumn and aims to bring together election officials from various countries to debate and discuss topics related the election law and systems and each country. Through this discussion, the participants can review other countries’ election systems and receive feedback back on their own systems to help facilitate mutual improvement. The program runs for a week and involves a number of sessions on topics picked by the participating election management bodies. Each delegation offers a presentation on the laws and systems related to that topic during each session before discussions begin. Also, participants are invited to observe scheduled by-elections during their visit. The NEC provides funding and support for delegates and takes applications for the seminar from election management bodies around the world. The following election management bodies have participated in the seminar since 2010.

International Activities-References:

 

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