Seoul: Voter turnout for South Korea's presidential election has surpassed the 60 percent mark, seven hours after voting began earlier Tuesday, the election watchdog said, a figure that includes results from the early voting.

According to Yonhap News Agency, of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 27.56 million had cast their ballots as of 1 p.m., as reported by the National Election Commission (NEC). Voting began at 6 a.m. at 14,295 polling stations across the country.

The provisional tally includes the votes cast in early voting, as well as overseas, shipboard, and absentee ballots. The turnout was the highest recorded at the said time of the day in any presidential election.

More than 15.42 million, or 34.74 percent of the registered voters, had cast their ballots in the early voting held on Thursday and Friday.