Public Official Election Act (Gongjik Seongeo Beop)
The Public Official Election Act (Gongjik Seongeo Beop) governs the conduct of elections for public officials in South Korea. Enacted in 1994, the Act establishes the framework for voter registration, candidate nomination, campaign finance, election conduct, and vote counting. The Act regulates elections for the President, National Assembly members, and local government officials.
Legal area: Law governing the conduct of elections and the regulation of political campaigns.
Year enacted: 1994
Full text: https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/law_view.do?hseq=south-korea-public-official-election-act
Key Provisions
- Chapter I: General provisions (election types, voter eligibility)
- Chapter II: Candidate nomination and registration
- Chapter III: Campaign finance (contribution limits, disclosure)
- Chapter IV: Campaign conduct (advertising, rallies, media)
- Chapter V: Voting procedures and ballot counting
- Chapter VI: Election disputes and recounts
- Chapter VII: Penalties for election offences
Significance
The Public Official Election Act ensures the integrity and fairness of South Korea’s democratic elections. The Act has been amended to address campaign finance reform, electronic voting, and the regulation of social media in elections. South Korea has a vibrant democracy with regular competitive elections. The Act’s provisions on campaign finance have been strengthened to prevent corruption. The National Election Commission oversees the administration of elections.