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centered foreign policy and appointing pro-Japan individuals to key government
positions, thereby causing isolation in Northeast Asia and triggering a crisis of war,
abandoning his duty to protect national security and the people.”

In other words, for the DP no more “antagonizing” North Korea, China or Russia and
no more working with Japan.

Recommendations for addressing election integrity in South Korea

Reforming and cleaning up an electoral system is never a simple matter. However, it
is necessary to make the effort – not least since free, honest elections are a
prerequisite for a healthy democracy. This is just as true in South Korea as it is in the
United States – where there is finally wider awareness of the need to clean up the
American electoral system.
The following are some ideas for how South Korea might improve identified
shortcomings in its electoral system. This section also includes areas where the
United States and South Korea might cooperate, hold joint discussions, and take
certain measures to further the election integrity effort in both nations.

For South Korea

Admit there is a problem with the electoral system. This is an essential first
step. Just like an alcoholic admitting he’s got a problem. It is not easy to do.
Especially when people have been loudly ridiculing people who raise reasonable
concerns as being "election deniers" and "conspiracy theorists" who are peddling
"debunked" "baseless" claims. That’s particularly ironic given that these peoples’
concerns have never been properly investigated or litigated on their merits in the
first place.

Reform and rein in the National Election Commission (NEC). Conduct
regular audits by proper governmental authorities to ensure the NEC acts in
compliance with ROK election law, and also in accordance with international
precepts as laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articulated in
detail by international electoral research bodies. Ensure hiring is done on merit, and
not through family connections and for political gain.

Reduce NEC connections with the Judiciary to avoid conflicts of interests and
‘negative incentives’ that prevent pursuing election irregularities to the fullest extent
possible. Do not have Supreme Court justices serve as election committee officials.
Implement incentives for the judiciary to hear cases involving election integrity and
to fully examine such claims.

Greatly limit or eliminate early voting. Early voting has proven too prone to
abuse and manipulation.

Protect electronic systems and networks used in connection with the
electoral system. To the extent possible, reduce the use of electronics in
connection with the electoral process – especially voting and tabulating. And tighten
up the hardware, software, and systems that must be employed. These must be
protected as tightly as possible, as if they are vital national secrets – which they are.

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