South Koreans vote in presidential election
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South Korean Confucian scholars, wearing traditional attire, and their family members pose for photographers as they cast their ballots in presidential election at a polling station in Nonsan on Dec 19, 2012. South Koreans bundled-up in thick mufflers and parkas braved frigid weather to choose between the liberal son of North Korean refugees and the conservative daughter of a late dictator. -- PHOTO: AP
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An elderly woman is assisted in casting her ballot in the presidential election at a polling station in Nonsan, about 190km south of Seoul, on Dec 19, 2012. More than 40 million people are eligible to vote in the presidential election. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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South Korea's presidential candidate Park Geun Hye of ruling Saenuri Party waves to supporters during her presidential election campaign in Busan on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
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People attend a campaign of Park Geun Hye, presidential candidate of conservative and right wing ruling Saenuri Party, in Seoul on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Mr Moon Jae In, former human rights lawyer and presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, sings the Korean national anthem during his final campaign in Busan on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
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Supporters of opposition Democratic United Party's presidential candidate Moon Jae In gather for his presidential election campaign in Busan on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
South Korean Confucian scholars, wearing traditional attire, and their family members pose for photographers as they cast their ballots in presidential election at a polling station in Nonsan on Dec 19, 2012. South Koreans bundled-up in thick mufflers and parkas braved frigid weather to choose between the liberal son of North Korean refugees and the conservative daughter of a late dictator. -- PHOTO: AP
An elderly woman is assisted in casting her ballot in the presidential election at a polling station in Nonsan, about 190km south of Seoul, on Dec 19, 2012. More than 40 million people are eligible to vote in the presidential election. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
South Korea's presidential candidate Park Geun Hye of ruling Saenuri Party waves to supporters during her presidential election campaign in Busan on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
People attend a campaign of Park Geun Hye, presidential candidate of conservative and right wing ruling Saenuri Party, in Seoul on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Mr Moon Jae In, former human rights lawyer and presidential candidate of the main opposition Democratic United Party, sings the Korean national anthem during his final campaign in Busan on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Supporters of opposition Democratic United Party's presidential candidate Moon Jae In gather for his presidential election campaign in Busan on Dec 18, 2012. -- PHOTO: AP
SEOUL (AFP) - South Koreans cast their votes on Wednesday in a tight and potentially historic presidential election that could result in Asia's fourth-largest economy selecting its first female leader.
The ballot is a straight fight between Park Geun Hye, the conservative daughter of assassinated dictator Park Chung Hee, and her liberal rival Moon Jae In, the son of North Korean refugees.
Opinion polls indicate the result could go either way.
The eventual occupant of the presidential Blue House will have to deal with a belligerent North Korea, a slowing economy and soaring welfare costs in one of the world's most rapidly ageing societies.