2.3 Million 'Nongmin Representatives' Focused on Nonghyup President Election... Securing Delegates Is Key

Election Voting and Counting Conducted on the 31st... 292 Delegates Participate in Voting

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] Ahead of the NongHyup Central Association election scheduled for the 31st, securing the number of delegates by region is expected to be one of the factors determining the election victory. Under the current election system where delegates participate in voting, gaining the votes of the 292 delegates can give a favorable position in the election.

According to the Central Election Commission on the 20th, 10 candidates registered for the 24th NongHyup Central Association President election held on the 16th and 17th. After completing registration, the candidates drew lots to determine their ballot numbers and began campaigning from the 18th. Voting and counting will take place on the 31st at the NongHyup Central Association auditorium in Jung-gu, Seoul.

With the preliminary candidate system introduced for the first time in this election, the number of candidates doubled compared to the previous election which had five candidates, leading to speculation that winning by majority vote in the first round may be difficult.

The success of this election is expected to depend on which region holds the most delegates. Only delegates can vote for the NongHyup Central Association President. To win by majority vote in the first round, it is necessary to secure the votes of these delegates. According to NongHyup Central Association, the total number of delegate votes from regional NongHyup, regional livestock cooperatives, and product cooperatives with voting rights in this election is 292.

The region with the largest number of delegates is Gyeongbuk (45 delegates). Gyeonggi follows with 43 delegates, and Chungnam comes next with 37 delegates. Because of this, Lee Seong-hee, former head of Naksaeng NongHyup in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, is being mentioned as a strong candidate. Moon Byung-wan, head of Boseong cooperative who succeeded in unifying candidates in Jeonnam, Lee Ju-seon, head of Songak NongHyup in Asan, Chungnam which holds the third largest number of delegates, and Yoo Nam-young, head of Jeongeup cooperative who served as a director of NongHyup Central Association for three years, are also considered strong candidates.

The fierce competition in the four-year single-term NongHyup Central Association President election is due to the powerful authority held by the president, representing 2.3 million farmers. According to the NongHyup Act, the president of the NongHyup Central Association is involved in personnel appointments for subsidiaries under the central association, audits of members, and the establishment of business and self-sufficiency plans.

NongHyup is urging election participants to conduct a fair election to prevent the election process from becoming disorderly. On the 19th, the NongHyup Central Association held a fair election practice countermeasure meeting for candidates’ associates.

At the meeting, attended by about 10 associates of candidates and NongHyup executives and employees, explanations were given regarding election campaign restrictions and prohibitions during the campaign period, election day procedures, election office procedures, and election campaign precautions.

Vice Chairman Heo Sik said, "We ask for the active cooperation of candidates and their associates so that this election can be conducted cleanly and fairly," adding, "We will surely realize a NongHyup for the people where farmers are happy through a fair election free from rumors and black propaganda."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.