By Do Je-hae
Staff Reporter
The government will run a special task force to detect any irregularities that could be committed by public officials in connection with the June 2 local elections.
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security opened Monday the "Support Center for Clean Election" at the Central Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, with Prime Minister Chung Un-chan and Minister Lee Dal-gon present.
The ministry explained that the center was established to prevent any irregularities that may occur before or during the upcoming elections which will choose provincial governors, metropolitan city mayors, and administrative executives for smaller local governments and their legislators.
Elections for local offices are held every four years.
Many current public servants are expected to run in the elections, the ministry said.
"A total of 3,991 officials will be elected through the election. It is expected that around 15,000 will register as candidates, a 27 percent increase from the previous election in 2006," an official with the ministry said. "We will launch immediate investigations into anyone who defies regulations regarding public servants' political neutrality."
The center will work with local governments to detect cases of excessive budget spending, or involvement of unionized public officials in election activities and other irregularities.
The center will operate on a 24-hour basis and also work in cooperation with the National Election Commission and the National Police Agency to deal with possible accidents and cases of fraud.
The ministry will also run a hotline to receive reports on detected cases of illegal campaigning.
The ministry will conduct a promotional campaign for clean elections in connection with civic groups.
The National Police Agency and the National Election Commission will run a nationwide task force.
The Election Commission will provide monetary rewards for those who report irregularities.
The police will run special task force across 261 police stations nationwide.
Some 15 percent of chiefs of local governments elected in 2006 were forced out of office due to various of irregularities, a recent survey showed.