The Republic of South Korea has expressed its neutrality in Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, saying its interest is to see free and transparent polls, as well as a peaceful transition of power at the national level.
The South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young-Chae, stated this at a media briefing in Abuja following the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Asian country for the World Bio Summit 2022 with the theme: “The Future of Vaccine and Bio-Health”.
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He said the coming general elections were not only crucial to Nigeria, but also to other African countries because of the country’s strategic role in the stability of the continent.
The envoy urged Nigeria’s electoral umpire and political leaders to ensure that the sovereign right of Nigerians to choose their leaders was protected and their decisions respected.
He said, “We have interest in the coming elections. Our interest is for the polls to be free, fair, transparent and peaceful. I believe that is also the interest of several other countries that have presence in Nigeria.
“However, it is up to Nigerians to decide their next leader. We are just observers. Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their sovereign rights freely without fear and their decisions fully respected.
“I want to see a peaceful and orderly transition of power from the present government to the next one. I have met the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. I have requested an audience with Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“During the meetings, I emphasised our commitment to democracy, free, fair and transparent elections and as well as peaceful power transition.”
