About the NEC

The National Election Commission (NEC) is an independent constitutional agency established to manage elections, national referendums and administrative affairs concerning political parties and political funds. The NEC was established after a review into fraudulent elections in March 15, 1960 and formally became a constitutional agency following the enactment of the Fifth Constitutional Amendment on January 21, 1963 during the Third Republic of Korea.

Composition of the Commission

The Commission itself is composed of nine Commissioners, including a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. Three Commissioners are appointed by the President, three are elected by the National Assembly and three are nominated by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with one being a member of the Supreme Court itself. The Chairperson and the Standing Commissioner are elected from among the Commissioners but it is customary that the Commissioner who is also a Justice of the Supreme Court is elected as Chairperson. The Vice-Chairperson is the only member of the Commission who is full-time and is of State Minister level, supporting the Chairperson by overseeing the Secretariat as directed. All Commissioners hold a six-year term as guaranteed by the constitution unless they are impeached by the National Assembly.

The Secretariat 

The Secretariat is composed of a Secretary General of State Minister level and a Deputy Secretary General of Vice Minister level, and employees are equal in status with government officials. Human resources, including employment, promotion, appointment and transfer, are managed autonomously to maintain independence.

Roles

The NEC and its affiliated organizations are responsible for the management of elections for public office, national and residents’ referendums and recall votes in addition to administrative affairs related to political parties and funds, civic education and the enactment and amendment of political laws. The NEC also studies the political systems of other countries to help improve the political culture and is engaged in various forms of international cooperation with international organizations and election management bodies from around the world.

Civic Education

Civic education is undertaken by the Korea Civic Education Institute for Democracy, which is under the umbrella of the NEC. Established in 1996, it provides civic education for future and current voters and operates training programs for teachers, NEC staff and foreign election officials.

Local Level Commissions

Election management is broken down into a four-stage organizational structure, consisting of the National Election Commission at the top. At the provincial and special city level are 17 Si/Do Election Commissions, with 250 Gu/Si/Gun Election Commissions at the third tier and 3,481 Eup/Myeon/Dong Election Commissions at the most local level. Overseas Voting Committees are temporarily established at embassies for presidential elections and the National Assembly elections to be conducted following the termination of office.

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