Min Byung-doo: "No Postponement of General Election... Now Is the Time to Discuss Measures Like Supplementary Budget"

Min Byung-doo, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid calls from some political circles to postpone the April 15 general election due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Min Byung-doo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The general election should not be postponed."

On the 25th, Min posted on his Facebook, saying, "Under current law, the general election can be postponed due to natural disasters, and the president can make that decision," adding, "Although some opposition party members are talking about postponing the election, it is inappropriate."

He continued, "The general election and its schedule form the foundation of national order. Therefore, the election can only be postponed in unavoidable cases such as natural disasters," explaining, "Natural disasters refer to situations like earthquakes or typhoons that make access to polling stations difficult and counting votes risky. If voting and counting can be conducted stably and managed properly, it should be done according to the law."

He emphasized, "Everyone is struggling due to COVID-19," and said, "Considering confirmed patients and their fearful families, medical staff fighting illness, and small business owners suffering from poor sales, it is completely wrong for the political circles to focus on difficulties in election campaigning, low voter turnout, or the pros and cons of the election."

He added, "Now is not the time to talk about postponing the general election but to discuss urgent and extensive measures such as emergency financial and economic command authority, supplementary budgets, good rent, and good loans," and said, "Unless COVID-19 develops to a level that severely affects stable voting and counting management to an extent comparable to a natural disaster, the political circles should contribute to the efforts and unity of the entire nation to prevent such a situation."

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