Seoul: Early voting for the South Korean presidential election commenced at 3,568 polling stations nationwide Thursday, marking the beginning of the electoral process to select a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted following a failed martial law attempt.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-myung was among the first to cast his ballot in Seoul. Meanwhile, Kim Moon-soo, representing the People Power Party (PPP), voted in Incheon earlier in the day. Other notable candidates, including Lee Jun-seok from the minor conservative New Reform Party (NRP) and Kwon Young-kook from the Democratic Labor Party, also participated in early voting.
As of 4 p.m., the National Election Commission reported a voter turnout of 15.72 percent, a noticeable increase of 1.61 percentage points compared to the same period during the 2022 presidential election. Early voting stations are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, allowing ample time for citizens to participate.
After casting his vote with young supporters, Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of civic engagement, declaring, "The insurrection can only be truly overcome through the active participation of our citizens in the election." His decision to vote with younger constituents was a symbolic gesture towards fostering a youth-led future for South Korea. Following his vote, Lee continued his campaign across various districts in Seoul, a pivotal region in the election due to its dense population.
Kim Moon-soo cast his vote in the Gyeyang district of Incheon, a strategic move by the PPP's campaign to challenge Lee in his own political territory. Kim urged the electorate to participate actively, asserting that a failure to vote would diminish the nation's prospects. His campaign also included a visit to Freedom Park in Incheon, where he paid homage to Gen. Douglas MacArthur, underscoring the historical significance of the area.
Lee Jun-seok, representing the NRP, voted in his home constituency of Dongtan before engaging with young voters in Seongnam's Pangyo 2nd Techno Valley and other districts. Kwon Young-kook, from the Democratic Labor Party, cast his vote in Yeosu, contributing to the diverse political landscape of the election.
Currently, six candidates are in the race for the presidency. Recent polling data indicates Lee Jae-myung leading with 49.2 percent, followed by Kim Moon-soo at 36.8 percent, and Lee Jun-seok with 10.3 percent. The elected president will begin their five-year term immediately after the election concludes.