Harry Harris, US Ambassador to Korea, "Congratulations on Record Voter Turnout in Korean General Election Despite COVID-19 Crisis"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Harry Harris, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, extended his congratulations on the 21st National Assembly election, which recorded a high voter turnout.

On the 16th, Ambassador Harris stated on his Twitter, "Yesterday's record-high voter turnout is evidence that South Korea remained committed to democratic ideals despite the COVID-19 crisis."

He also left a congratulatory message, saying, "Congratulations to the Republic of Korea on successfully conducting the general election."

Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement on the 15th (local time), saying, "The United States congratulates South Korea on successfully holding the general election," and praised the election held amid the global COVID-19 pandemic as "a true hallmark of a free, open, and transparent society."

He further emphasized that this achievement is an important example of South Korea's successful response to the current crisis and added that South Korea's general election has become a model for the world.

Secretary Pompeo also expressed gratitude for South Korea's provision of COVID-19 test kits. On the same day, he tweeted, "Thank you to South Korea for enabling the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to purchase hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 test kits," adding, "Partners and allies stand together."

Meanwhile, the provisional voter turnout for the 21st National Assembly election was 66.2%, the highest in 28 years since the 14th general election in 1992. Out of a total of 43,994,247 eligible voters, 29,128,041 participated in the vote.

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