This immediate effect is based on the Public Official Election Act, which states that in elections taking place in case of a presidential vacancy, the person elected is to fill the post without delay.

The certificate of election will thus state the winner as “president” instead of “president-elect,” according to the watchdog.

For this reason, the NEC chairman is considering the option of delivering the certificate of election directly to the new president, as it is against protocol to summon a sitting president to the NEC headquarters.

In 2012, a chief official from Park’s election camp visited the NEC office to pick up the document on behalf of president-elect Park.

The presidential inaugural ceremony will also be downsized, considering the pressing timeline.

The Ministry of Interior is to contact the new president’s election camp to determine the details of the ceremony, which is to be held Wednesday.

The most likely scenario is for the incoming president to take the oath at the National Assembly’s central hall, as was suggested by some of the election front-runners.

“The location would underline the (new president’s) vow to work in close partnership with the legislature,” said officials of Moon Jae-in’s camp Tuesday.

Runner-up figures Hong Joon-pyo and Ahn Cheol-soo similarly pledged to undergo a simple oath and immediately move into the presidential office to address urgent pending issues.

Since 1987, presidential inauguration ceremonies have taken place on the lawn of the National Assembly in February.

Before the ceremony, it has been customary for new presidents to pay their respects at the Seoul National Cemetery.

By Kim Da-sol (ddd@heraldcorp.com)