3.8 Union Chiefs Promote 'Fair Election'... 300 Million Won Reward for Reporting

On the 13th, the day of the 2nd Nationwide Simultaneous Cooperative Head Election, voters are casting their ballots at the Jayang 1-dong polling station set up at the Central Nonghyup headquarters in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held a 'Fair Election Promotion Inspection Meeting' on the 17th at the Government Sejong Complex with related organizations such as the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation in preparation for the '3rd Nationwide Simultaneous Cooperative Head Election' scheduled 50 days from now.

The nationwide simultaneous cooperative head election is the third time following 2015 and 2019. It is conducted by entrusting the Central Election Commission with 1,117 agricultural and livestock cooperatives, fisheries cooperatives, and forestry cooperatives. Candidate registration for cooperative heads will be held on January 21-22, and election campaigning will take place from February 23 to March 7.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to strengthen education and publicity on fair elections targeting frontline cooperatives and cooperative members in cooperation with the Election Commission, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and other related organizations to minimize disputes over fraudulent elections caused by bribery or unqualified cooperative members and to establish a transparent cooperative election culture.

In particular, as the act of receiving small amounts of food or gifts may increase around the Lunar New Year holiday, the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation will also inform candidates and cooperative members of precautions through events such as video quizzes for cooperative members. For example, donation activities by candidates are restricted until the election day. In addition to criminal penalties for those who provide money or goods, those who receive such money or goods will be fined 10 to 50 times the amount.

If a person who received money or goods voluntarily reports, a reduction in fines is possible. A reward of up to 300 million KRW will be given to informants reporting various crimes related to entrusted elections, including donation activities.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will also conduct a joint inspection with the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation on the actual status of cooperative members (from January 9 to 20) to prevent election disputes caused by unqualified cooperative members exercising voting rights.

Kang Dongyun, Director of Agricultural Finance Policy Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "In the past two elections, many cases occurred where not only candidates but also farmers became criminals due to bribery, resulting in by-elections." He urged, "If you judge that it is money or goods related to the election, you should refuse or immediately report it to the district or city election commission to prevent damage."

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