SEOUL, The ruling People Power Party (PPP) will stick to the principle of reciprocity when dealing with the issue of whether to grant voting rights to foreign residents, party leader Han Dong-hoon said Wednesday. Han made the remark during a party meeting held in the city of Incheon, where the Overseas Koreans Agency is located, as six days of overseas voting kicked off earlier in the day ahead of the April 10 parliamentary elections. "Our government will firmly keep the principle of reciprocity when it comes to issues related to sovereignty, such as suffrage," Han said, adding foreign residents should be given the right to vote in local elections only when those countries give South Koreans the corresponding right. Foreigners living in South Korea for more than three years after obtaining permanent residency can vote in local elections. Critics say Chinese residents, totaling more than 150,000, could be influential in such elections and it is unfair to give them the right when South Koreans in China are not allowed to vote. Han also urged voters residing abroad to participate in the overseas voting. "We sincerely hope you make sure to go to the polling stations and cast your precious votes," he said. A total of 147,989 people are eligible for overseas voting set to run until Monday, according to the National Election Commission. Source: Yonhap News Agency