My fellow citizens!

The dawn of a new year has just broken.

I wish you a year full of success and happy family times.

2013 was the year that marked 65^th anniversary of introducing democratic election

as well as the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the National Election Commission.

The NEC strived to produce a blueprint for exercising people’s sovereignty, the highest constitutional value while looking back on our accomplishments over the past half-century.

A proposal was submitted to the National Assembly for the revision of the political laws to meet needs of mature citizens, improve areas behind the times and increase people’s voice for and participation in politics on the basis of fairness.

In addition, as a responsible member of the international community, the NEC took a lead in supporting emerging democracies and promoting democracy by sharing our advanced election management techniques. Such efforts have led to the launch of Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB). The NEC took the initiative in proposing the establishment of A-WEB and launching an international organization that will lead the advancement of democracy across the globe. The NEC has become the first Chair Country and successfully located the Secretariat in Korea.

Based on what we have achieved so far, we will try our best to make the electoral system and culture in Korea something Korean people can be proud of and lead the development of democracy around the world.

My dear people!

We have the 6^th Local Elections scheduled for this year that will be held simultaneously nationwide.

Now that it has been 20 years since the launch of the local government system, the NEC will manage elections in a fair and perfect manner for the sake of mature grassroots democracy.

Firstly, we will make sure people can exercise sovereignty without difficulty.

We will also make sure the early voting system introduced for the first time in the world to enable voters to cast a vote from anywhere in the nation is run with ease and that more election services are provided for voters.

Transparent and fair elections shall be achieved through the voting/counting process open to the public and voters directly involved in the process.

We will also ensure that election becomes a means of democratic politics to allow communication with the public and resolve social conflicts.

Our efforts shall also be put in to prevent violations of the electoral law to have an environment for fair election firmly in place as early as possible.

Sufficient guidance on the electoral laws shall be provided to prevent general voters, political parties and candidates not aware of the relevant law from breaking the law.

Prompt and strict actions shall be taken against violations that disturb order during election to ensure fair competition.

In particular, when it comes to the nomination and resignation of candidates, such illegal activities as receiving monetary gifts, illegal interference by public officers, bribing candidates into giving up candidacy, etc. shall be strictly regulated and eventually eradicated.

Such actions as manipulating the public opinion, conducting illegal surveys on election, organizing illegal election campaign groups, etc. shall also be strongly regulated.

My fellow citizens!

This year the NEC will make every single effort to achieve fair and transparent elections and make election a festivity where voters are bonded together by remaining politically impartial.

I sincerely look forward to your active support and participation.

Thank you.