Seoul: Early voting in South Korea's 21st presidential election is underway, spanning two days and taking place at 3,569 polling locations nationwide. The official Election Day is set for June 3. South Korea is currently navigating a period of political instability following the impeachment and dismissal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had briefly declared martial law last December. This election is critical for filling the leadership gap and restoring national stability.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the National Election Commission (NEC) is under scrutiny due to previous controversies, including an employment scandal and allegations of vote rigging, which have eroded public confidence. To counteract these issues and ensure the integrity of the early voting process, the NEC has introduced several transparency measures. These include hourly updates on early voter turnout at each polling place, public access to surveillance footage of ballot boxes, and the involvement of external observers in monitoring the election process. Furthermore, the NEC has decided to employ only Korean citizens as election workers.
Interest in early voting has surged, with turnout climbing from 26 percent in 2017 to 36.9 percent in 2022, nearly matching the Election Day turnout of 40.2 percent. Overseas, approximately 200,000 Korean expatriates voted from May 20-25, achieving a record turnout of 79.5 percent. This year's early voting days fall on weekdays, differing from past elections where at least one day coincided with a weekend, prompting political candidates to closely monitor the impact on voter turnout.
Presidential candidates are actively promoting early voting. Lee Jae-myung from the liberal Democratic Party of Korea urged citizens to seize the opportunity to vote early. Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, who previously criticized early voting, now encourages participation, assuring voters of stringent election monitoring. New Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok has also called on younger voters to participate early.
NEC Chair Rho Tae-ak has appealed to political parties, candidates, and the public to respect the election results to prevent political and social disruption. The success of the election in terms of fairness and transparency is crucial for public trust and the acceptance of its outcomes. The NEC's commitment to a transparent election process is pivotal in addressing public concerns and ensuring a smooth electoral process.