“If You Aren`t a Candidate This Election, Then You Are a Fool”

Regional elections (13th of June) this year, which will elect 4,428 members to the National Assembly, local government, and metropolitan office is taking place 4 months earlier than the planned date.

This election is a prelude to the major election because it will be held six months before the presidential election in December.

Therefore, the competition between parties will be more severe than any other election.

In some regions, confusion related to election campaign and over-heated situation are happening like illegal action and offense cases of candidates.

It is, therefore, urgent to arrange counter-measures.

In case of local government offices, a third successive term is permitted by law; however, many of those who were elected as the first chief of local government offices are too old or are not able to take office.

Thus, changes are expected and the number of candidates are flooding, as it is said, "If you aren’t a candidate, then you are a fool."

Constituencies such as Yeosu City of Southern Cholla, Chanwon City of Southern Kyongsang, Donghai City of Kangwon, Chilgok-kun and Sangju-kun of Northern Kyongsang are flooded with up to 10 candidates for the local government chief position and they are on the move to forestall their rival.

The election management committee in the Southern Kyongsang regional office said, "The competition for local elections is expected be 5 to 1 in most regions."

In the case of election for local National Assembly members, it is flooded with candidates with most of current members expected to run for re-election.

It is noted that illegal and corruptive election campaign is the main cause for concern.

Cases are being continuously exposed, like providing money and other valuables under the pretext of New Years greeting, and book distribution in succession with party celebration for the book publication .

Also pork-barreling of current local members and local government candidates is also becoming an issue.

Organizing by voters who get help from candidates still exists and criticizing opposite candidate in cyber space is becoming more severe.

However, this local election is supposed to choose new ways for electing candidates, such as `free competitive election of candidates` in which voters participate. Therefore, changes from past elections is expected.

Also, each citizen, labor, environment, and women organization will endorse their own candidate as well as inspect illegal election campaigns. Their activities, therefore, are also becoming a focus of attention.

Park Jae-Yul, director of Unemployed-relief civil movement in Pusan stressed, "We should establish a culture of clean elections with the help of a mature voter-consciousness this time."

manman@donga.com · cavatina@donga.com