By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae

Korea's holding of its 21st parliamentary elections as scheduled on April 15 has received extensive coverage by foreign media, with 47 other countries including the U.S., France and Russia postponing elections due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

In his op-ed "South Korea shows the world how to hold elections during a pandemic," Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen said, "The plucky South Koreans have just shown the world how to hold an election and protect public health simultaneously."

"The system the South Koreans devised protects voters and poll workers," he added, citing that more than 66 percent of eligible voters cast votes. 

"South Korea has just schooled us on how a real democracy conducts itself under pressure."

Los Angeles Times writer Victoria Kim, in her article "Democracy beats the coronavirus in South Korea as voters turn out in record numbers" released the same day, wrote, "South Korea is one of a handful of countries to press ahead with elections," citing that voter turnout of 66.2% was the highest since 1992. 

"If it becomes clear in the coming weeks that South Korea has managed to pull off a nationwide election without jeopardizing public health, the country could serve as an example for others trying to protect democracy and minimize the virus' toll." 

The BBC's Seoul correspondent Laura Bicker on April 15 wrote that Korea has shown other countries how to deal with the pandemic and how to hold events such as elections amid the outbreak.

Bicker explained that some critics were afraid that the elections might be held under chaos but saw how early voting was held calmly, adding, "South Korea is once again determined to prove what is possible during this pandemic."

Japanese media such as NHK, The Asahi Shimbun and The Yomiuri Shimbun also were quick to report on Korea's elections. Asahi on April 15 said, "Votes were carried out after one sanitized hands, wore masks and plastic gloves, and got the body temperature checked."

The daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun also said the elections were held using thorough preventive measures, adding, "The voter turnout is gaining much attention because it is the world's first election to be held since the COVID-19 crisis."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said in a tweet on April 15, "Congratulations to the Republic of Korea for successful legislative elections, in the face of a global pandemic."

"South Korea's dedication to democratic values and a free and open society is what the world needs to fight COVID-19."

km137426@korea.kr