"170,000 Overseas Koreans Vote Amid Global Spread of COVID-19: 'Emergency'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads worldwide, overseas Korean voting is facing an emergency. Among 2.14 million overseas Koreans, 176,960 voters have completed registration for overseas voting.

According to the National Election Commission on the 17th, the overseas voting for the April 15 general election is scheduled to take place from the 1st to the 6th of next month at Korean embassies, consulates general, and branch offices in various countries. However, if lockdown orders are issued between countries, many overseas Koreans will be unable to vote due to the nature of overseas elections, where polling stations are not densely established in each voter's residential area as in Korea.

So far, Italy and Spain have declared a national emergency for COVID-19 response and issued nationwide lockdowns prohibiting citizens from going out. The United States has also declared a national emergency and has begun city lockdowns in New York State. City lockdowns have also been implemented in India, the Philippines, Israel, Palestine, Denmark, and other countries.

Among those who applied for overseas voting with the National Election Commission, the Japanese Embassy had the highest number with 9,044 applicants. The Ho Chi Minh Consulate General followed with 8,635, and the Los Angeles Consulate General had 8,025. By country, the United States had 42,062 applicants, Japan 23,158, and China 20,797, with these three countries accounting for 48.5% of the total. There are also forecasts that returning ballot boxes will be difficult due to the reduction or suspension of air routes.

In this regard, the National Election Commission stated in materials submitted to the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee on the 12th, "We will check and adjust the methods and routes for returning overseas votes due to the reduction and suspension of air routes, and if necessary, listen to opinions from each diplomatic mission to shorten the overseas voting period or decide to suspend overseas election affairs." The Commission also said, "We will guarantee the voting rights of overseas Koreans who return to Korea (including those who do not depart) through guidance on the return voting system."

Meanwhile, domestic voting, including shipboard voting, early voting, and main voting, is also expected to face difficulties. As a domestic voting measure, the National Election Commission proposed allowing early voting for confirmed patients and those in self-quarantine who have pre-registered for absentee voting. However, since absentee voting must be reported by 6 p.m. on the 28th according to election law, it was pointed out that voters who become confirmed or self-quarantined after that will practically be unable to vote.

There are also forecasts that the historically lowest voter turnout will be inevitable. The election with the lowest voter turnout in history was the 18th general election (46%), while the turnout for the 20th general election was 58%.

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