President Moon: "Election Commission Should Learn from 'Issues' and Ensure No Gaps in Voting Rights for COVID-19 Patients" (Comprehensive)

"Preparing Consultations with the President-Elect on Diplomacy and Security in the International Order"

President Moon Jae-in is declaring the opening of the video Cabinet meeting held at the Yeomin Hall of the Blue House on the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in pointed out issues revealed during the early voting process and urged the National Election Commission on the 8th, the day before the election, to "ensure there are no gaps in guaranteeing the voting rights of confirmed COVID-19 patients."

At the Cabinet meeting that day, President Moon said, "I ask the National Election Commission to do their utmost to ensure that there is not the slightest negligence in managing the voting and counting process until the moment the counting is completed."

He also said, "If confirmed patients take a long time to vote or have to wait for extended periods, it can be painful and there is a possibility that their symptoms may worsen," adding, "Please pay special attention to ensuring that voting proceeds smoothly."

This appears to be a request following the controversy over early voting for confirmed patients. On the 6th, President Moon also expressed his 'regret' over the early voting controversy and urged the National Election Commission to thoroughly manage the voting and counting process. He emphasized, "Early voting has already recorded a high turnout rate approaching 37%, which is more than 10% higher than the last general and presidential elections, and this is very desirable."

He added, "This is the time for the people to choose the president who will lead the country for the next five years," and urged, "Please approach voting with the mindset that you are choosing the fate and future of the country and its people."

Regarding the frequent wildfires occurring nationwide, President Moon additionally declared Gangneung and Donghae cities as special disaster areas that day. He said, "I ask that you do your best to ensure swift recovery and support for the victims so they can return to their daily lives as soon as possible," and "Please carefully consider the difficulties of residents in the affected areas by also focusing on support for resuming farming and stabilizing their livelihoods."

President Moon also noted that this wildfire can be seen as influenced by abnormal climate factors, urging, "I ask the relevant authorities to prepare fundamental measures in response to the changing causes and patterns of wildfires, strengthen the wildfire prevention and rapid response system including wide-area response, and make efforts to further advance equipment."

Regarding recent domestic and international affairs, President Moon said, "Regarding diplomacy and security in the rapidly changing international order, please prepare in advance to cooperate well with the president-elect's side after the election," and added, "We must respond closely while prioritizing national interests through close international cooperation."

President Moon stated, "It is rewarding that our national power has grown to contribute more to global challenges and international cooperation, but on the other hand, it also comes with corresponding burdens," emphasizing, "We must further strengthen the government-wide emergency response system to thoroughly check and prepare for risk factors such as supply chain instability and rising prices."

He continued, "Not only short-term responses but also efforts to actively respond to the reorganization of the new international order with a long-term perspective are essential," adding, "We must unite our efforts to proactively manage risk factors and challenges in various fields such as diplomacy, security, economy, energy, and emerging technologies, so that we can lead and respond to the future."

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