Prime Minister Kim: "Focusing All Efforts to Ensure Fair Election"

Meeting of Ministers Related to Fair Elections

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Fair Election Related Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 15th. February 15, 2022. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated on the 15th, the day the official campaign for the 20th presidential election began, "We will concentrate all our efforts to ensure that the election is conducted fairly and safely."

On the same day, Prime Minister Kim presided over the 'Fair Election Ministers' Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office and said, "The government and all public officials will maintain their focus and manage state affairs and the election with an even-handed and steady approach."

Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "This election is being held amid the rapid spread of Omicron, and the most important task is to guarantee the voting rights of the people to the fullest extent while ensuring the safety of voters."

On March 9, the presidential election day, polling stations will be open from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM to allow those in quarantine or confirmed with COVID-19 to vote. Absentee voting will also be available. The National Assembly passed an amendment to the Public Official Election Act containing these provisions the day before.

Prime Minister Kim said, "In consultation with the Election Commission, we will thoroughly separate the voting times and routes for these individuals and establish separate procedures for quarantine so that other voters can vote with peace of mind. We will also ensure strict quarantine measures at overseas polling stations starting next week."

He added, "We will encourage political neutrality among public officials and the military, and under the cooperation of the prosecution and police, we will respond strictly to illegal election interference. In particular, we will thoroughly crack down on and severely punish crimes such as fake news and public opinion manipulation," he warned.

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