Seoul: Two-day early voting for the upcoming local elections, which will decide the next mayors and governors of major local governments, concluded with a record turnout of 23.51 percent, the election watchdog reported. More than 10.4 million out of 44.6 million registered voters participated in the early voting, which ran from 6 a.m. Friday until 6 p.m. Saturday, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).
According to Yonhap News Agency, the turnout surpassed the 20.62 percent recorded in early voting for the 2022 local elections. The primary voting day is scheduled for Wednesday. South Jeolla Province achieved the highest turnout at 38.95 percent, followed by North Jeolla Province with 35.05 percent. Gwangju and Sejong reported turnouts of 27.83 percent and 27.67 percent, respectively, while Daegu had the lowest at 18.65 percent. Seoul's turnout stood at 23.84 percent.
The NEC also reported that early voting turnout for the parliamentary by-elections, aimed at filling 14 vacant National Assembly seats, reached 24.12 percent. In a social media post, President Lee Jae Myung encouraged citizens to vote, emphasizing it as the "lifeline" of democracy. "Giving up voting is the same as giving up your and your family's future," he asserted on X.
President Lee and First Lady Kim Hea Kyung participated in early voting on Friday. The elections will fill 16 mayoral and gubernatorial positions, 227 heads of local governments, and approximately 4,000 local council seats. This election is considered the first significant nationwide vote for the Lee administration since taking office last June, following the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Both the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) are mobilizing voters, with recent polls indicating tighter races in more regions than initially expected. The Seoul mayoral election is notably competitive, featuring incumbent Oh Se-hoon of the PPP against ruling party candidate Chong Won-o. A Hankook Research poll showed Chong leading with 42 percent over Oh's 36 percent.
In Daegu, a traditional conservative area, PPP candidate Choo Kyung-ho is contesting against DP candidate Kim Boo-kyum. A survey by Ace Research indicated Choo leading with 47.1 percent, while Kim had 45.7 percent. Kim began his campaign at Yongsan Station, with plans to visit Seomun Market.
In Busan, DP candidate Chun Jae-soo is leading against incumbent mayor and PPP candidate Park Heong-joon in several polls. The parliamentary by-elections are also drawing attention, with political figures like Han Dong-hoon, former PPP leader, contesting for seats. In Busan's Buk-A constituency, independent Han is competing against Ha Jung-woo and former PPP lawmaker Park Min-shik.
A poll by the NEC last Thursday revealed that 73.6 percent of respondents are determined to vote in the upcoming elections, with 39.4 percent planning to do so during the early voting period.