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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

South Korean lawmakers debate early voting system amid integrity concerns

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A special parliamentary committee debated the early voting system, with experts divided on its merits and drawbacks.
  • Proponents argue that abolishing early voting would lower turnout and infringe on suffrage, while opponents claim it violates the principle of universal suffrage and election integrity.
  • The committee aims to discuss reforms for the National Election Commission and the election management system, with a plan to finalize reform proposals by July 22.

South Korea's National Assembly held a special committee meeting to discuss the early voting system, revealing deep divisions among experts regarding its implementation and impact on election integrity. The debate centered on whether to maintain or abolish the system, which allows citizens to cast ballots before the official election day.

There is no perfect voting and vote-counting system in the world. While we can point out the problems of the early voting system, going back to the past now would be reversing efforts to realize universal suffrage in practice.

— Jeong Tae-hoProfessor Emeritus at Kyung Hee University Law School, arguing for the retention of the early voting system.

Supporters of early voting argue that its abolition would lead to decreased voter turnout, thereby infringing upon citizens' right to participate in the democratic process. They contend that the system, despite its flaws, is crucial for ensuring the practical realization of universal suffrage. One expert noted that moving back to a previous system would reverse efforts to enhance suffrage.

Conversely, opponents of early voting argue that it violates the principle of universal suffrage and can compromise election security. Concerns were raised about the ability to conduct campaigning on early voting days while electioneering is prohibited on the main election day, and the issue of invalidating votes if a candidate withdraws after early ballots are cast. Proposals were made to either abolish early voting entirely or integrate its convenience into a two-day main voting period.

Early voting violates the principle of universal suffrage and infringes upon the right to vote.

— Cha Jin-ahProfessor at Korea University Law School, expressing concerns about early voting's impact on election principles.

Further concerns were voiced about potential partisan advantages, with one representative suggesting that early voting consistently favors a specific political party. The special committee plans to hold another expert session to discuss reforms for the National Election Commission and the overall election management system, aiming to finalize reform proposals by July 22.

Early voting is always absolutely advantageous for a specific party.

— Lee Hee-beomRepresentative of the Korean NGO Federation, raising suspicions about partisan bias in early voting.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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