Early voting begins in South Korea’s presidential polls
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People at a polling station in Seoul during early voting for the June 3 presidential election, on May 29.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - Early voting in South Korea’s presidential elections began on May 29, with both main candidates casting ballots in an election triggered by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s ill-fated effort to suspend civilian rule in 2024.
South Koreans are desperate to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon’s declaration of martial law, for which he was impeached
Since then, the Asian democracy has been led by a revolving door of lame duck acting presidents as its export-driven economy grapples with trade turmoil abroad and sluggish demand at home.
All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear front runner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing that 49 per cent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate.
Trailing behind him is conservative former labour minister Kim Moon-soo from the ruling People Power Party – Yoon’s former party – at 35 per cent.
While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on May 29 and May 30.
South Koreans have in recent years turned out in growing numbers for early voting, with 37 per cent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election.
By midday, the early voting turnout rate was 8.7 per cent – the highest yet for that time in South Korean election history – according to Seoul’s National Election Commission.
Overseas voter turnout also reached a historic high, with four-fifths of 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots.
“Given that this election was held in the wake of an impeachment and a martial law crisis, it naturally reflects the public’s strong desire to express their thoughts about democracy in South Korea,” Dr Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women’s University, said.
‘Vote more powerful than a bullet’
Voting in Seoul on the morning of May 29, Lee told reporters: “There’s a saying that a vote is more powerful than a bullet.”
“Even an insurrection can only truly be overcome through the people’s participation at the ballot box,” added Lee, who represents the Democratic Party.
According to a Gallup poll, more than half of Lee’s supporters said they planned to vote early, compared with just 16 per cent of Mr Kim’s supporters.
Mr Kim had said he would cast his vote in Incheon, west of Seoul, with his campaign framing it as “the beginning of a dramatic turnaround”, a nod to famed US general Douglas MacArthur’s landing there during the Korean War.
‘Take part’
Mr Kim’s decision to vote early has surprised many on the right, where conspiracy theories about electoral fraud – particularly during early voting – are rife.
The 73-year-old, however, reassured his supporters that there is “nothing to worry about”.
“If you hesitate to vote early and end up missing the main election, it would be a major loss,” said Mr Kim on May 28.
“Our party will mobilise all its resources to ensure strict monitoring and oversight of early voting.”
“So please don’t worry and take part in it,” he added.
After early voting, Mr Kim insisted he still had time to win the race.
“We’re closing the gap quickly, and at this pace, I’m confident we’ll take the lead soon,” he told reporters.
The conservative candidate shot to public attention in the aftermath of Yoon’s martial law debacle
In contrast, lawyer-turned-politician Lee played a central role in stopping the push to suspend civilian rule, live-streaming his frantic drive to Parliament and his scramble over the perimeter fence as he and other lawmakers raced to vote down the decree.
He has since vowed to “bring insurrection elements to justice” if elected president.
But whoever succeeds Yoon will have to grapple with a deepening economic downturn, some of the world’s lowest birth rates and a soaring cost of living.
The new leader will also have to navigate a mounting superpower stand-off between the US, Seoul’s traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner. AFP
