Kim Se-hwan, Secretary General of the Election Commission, Resigns... "Responsibility for Poor Early Voting Management"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Se-hwan, Secretary General of the Central Election Commission, expressed his intention to resign on the 16th, taking responsibility for the controversy over the poor management of early voting for COVID-19 confirmed and quarantined individuals in the presidential election.

According to officials from the Central Election Commission, Secretary General Kim sent an email to the commission staff on the same day, stating, "I deeply acknowledge and apologize for the responsibility as Secretary General regarding the poor management of early voting," and added, "I hope that we will wisely overcome this difficulty and successfully manage the local elections, allowing our commission to reemerge as an institution trusted by the public."

Earlier, on the last day of early voting for the presidential election, the 5th, a controversy over 'poor management' arose after COVID-19 confirmed and quarantined voters placed their completed ballots into baskets, plastic bags, paper boxes, or bags before transferring them to the ballot box. This issue occurred because separate voting booths for confirmed or quarantined individuals were set up outside the general voting booths, and election staff delivered the ballots on behalf of the voters instead of the voters directly placing them into the ballot box, leading to the so-called 'basket voting' controversy. Additionally, despite the explosive increase in confirmed cases ahead of the presidential election, the commission was criticized for failing to adequately prepare in advance, resulting in confirmed and quarantined voters waiting for long periods in front of polling stations.

The Central Election Commission is considering disclosing the full or partial content of the email Secretary General Kim sent to the staff regarding his resignation.

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