Vice Minister inspects absentee ballot transport, vows secure delivery

South Korean Vice Minister of the Interior Kim Min-jae personally inspected the transport of absentee ballots on the first day of early voting for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections. The visit to the Seoul Central Post Office late on May 29 aimed to verify the secure delivery of ballots cast by voters outside their registered districts.

The Ministry of the Interior stated that the inspection was arranged to ensure the safe transit of these crucial ballots to their respective election commissions. Early voting, a system allowing voters who cannot cast their ballot on election day (June 3) to vote at any polling station nationwide, includes absentee voting for those casting ballots outside their home district. These ballots are then mailed to the election commission responsible for the voter's registered address for vote counting.

During his visit, Vice Minister Kim examined the security measures at the post office, including external security and access control. He also reviewed the entire transport process, confirming police officers were accompanying the mail vehicles and that police escort vehicles were prepared. The inspection specifically observed police officers riding along with the mail trucks transporting the absentee ballots, highlighting the emphasis on security for these votes.