Home   >   News   >   Korea   >   S. Korean govt passes bill simplifying overseas voter registration

S. Korean govt passes bill simplifying overseas voter registration

December 15, 2015
vote

Polling stations will be installed in regions with Korean nationals numbering more than 40,000. In New York, that means two stations will be installed in addition to the existing Consulate General. (Yonhap)

Overseas voter registration for South Korean elections just got easier thanks to a revised bill passed by the National Assembly last week.

Under the bill, the South Korean government will work to install polling stations overseas and to simplify the registration process, starting next year following the April legislative election.

Polling stations will be installed in regions with Korean nationals numbering more than 40,000. In New York, that means two stations will be installed in addition to the existing Consulate General.

The consulate committee overseeing overseas voting at the encouraged locals to register Wednesday.

“Even if overseas voting regulations change, none of it matters if the turnout is low,” said Park Jae-jin, head of the committee.

About 890 nationals had registered for overseas voting with the New York Consulate General as of Wednesday.

There are an estimated 1.98 eligible overseas Korean nationals worldwide. In the 2012 presidential election, only 5 percent participated.

In cities like Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, community leaders have begun campaigns to push local Koreans to register to vote, with promotional posters being posted in high-traffic areas like supermarkets.

The deadline to register is Feb. 13. Applicants may register via mail, online or in person at the nearest diplomatic office.

Visit ova.nec.go.kr to register as an overseas voter.