Police step up security ahead of Dec. presidential vote

The National Police Agency (NPA) said Sunday police officers will step up security for major presidential candidates and crack down on illegal electioneering ahead of the vote next month.

The NPA said it has established an election security headquarters at its office and set up situation rooms at 267 police stations as candidate registration opened earlier in the day.

Police will maintain a high level of security until the eve of the polling day and raise that to the highest level on the voting day.

Earlier in the day, NPA chief Kim Ki-yong held a video conference with senior officials and ordered them to thoroughly prepare to safely escort major candidates and crack down on illegal election campaigns.

"As election campaigns heat up, there are more chances of illegal activities taking place. We have to step up intelligence gathering and monitoring activities," Kim said. "Police officers should maintain neutrality in the process of enforcement and investigation activities."

When the 22-day official campaign period starts on Tuesday, police will closely monitor illegal campaign activities, such as bribery, the spread of false information and violent acts.

About 1,600 officers will closely monitor slander and false rumors about candidates on Internet and social networking sites, the latest election campaign tools.

Police have detected 231 violators, arresting one and booking 26 others without physical detention, according to the NPA.

Special forces and bomb removal teams will be assigned when major presidential candidates conduct street campaigns in front of large audiences to guard against possible security threats, officials said.

For the first time this year, eligible Koreans living abroad will be allowed to cast ballots for the presidential election under a 2009 law. (Yonhap)