On the First Day of Overseas Voting, Entering After Wearing Masks and Checking Temperature... "So Glad We Can Vote"

Weekday Scene at Korean Embassy Polling Station... Ambassador Jang Ha-sung and Spouse Vote in China
Overseas Voting Held from 1st to 6th... 65 Missions in 40 Countries Closed, Only 53.2% Able to Vote

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Correspondent Sunmi Park, Reporter Wandara] At 8 a.m. (local time) on the 1st, in front of the main gate of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Beijing, staff wearing white protective suits, masks, and protective goggles were maintaining a somewhat strict security posture.

This scene was quite different from the usual presence of only security guards. Due to the special circumstances of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), overseas voting for the election of the 21st National Assembly members began on this day, and this was in accordance with the Chinese authorities' special order to 'strengthen quarantine measures.'

From 8 a.m. on this day, Korean residents wearing masks began to appear one by one at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Beijing to vote. Despite being before rush hour, the situation was somewhat quiet due to COVID-19. At the main gate entrance, a masked election staff member conducted temperature checks on entrants. Wearing a mask was mandatory, and only those with a body temperature below 37.3 degrees Celsius were allowed entry. Those with a fever of 37.3 degrees or higher were not allowed inside and had to vote at a temporary polling station set up next to the entrance. After voting, those with a fever were guided to a hospital for nucleic acid testing.

At 8:50 a.m. on the same day, Ambassador Jang Ha-sung and his spouse also visited the polling station. After voting, Ambassador Jang said, "It is unfortunate that overseas Koreans in the U.S. and other regions cannot vote due to COVID-19, but it is a great relief that overseas voting is possible in China." However, he expressed regret that the enhanced COVID-19 quarantine measures in China might result in a low voter turnout. Ambassador Jang stated, "Many of our nationals in China registered in advance, but due to strengthened COVID-19 quarantine measures, many have not yet been able to enter China and movement is also restricted. Some are currently in quarantine. Therefore, I am worried whether voting will proceed as expected."

A Korean resident who visited the polling station that day said, "I work at an auto parts company, and due to COVID-19, work has significantly decreased, making it difficult. During these tough times, I came out with the intention of exercising my rights by voting. It is unfortunate that many Korean residents want to vote but cannot leave their homes to do so."

The overseas voting, held daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the 1st to the 6th, is expected to have the worst voter turnout in history. This is because overseas election offices in various countries have been suspended due to the COVID-19 situation, preventing half of the overseas voters from voting. Out of the total 171,959 overseas voters, only 91,459 (53.2%) can vote this time due to the COVID-19 situation. So far, overseas election offices have been suspended at 65 diplomatic missions in 40 countries, including the Consulate General in Wuhan, China; Consulate General in New York, USA; Consulate General in Los Angeles; and Consulate General in Frankfurt, Germany.

There are also concerns that the return of ballot boxes will be difficult due to the reduction and suspension of air routes. The National Election Commission plans to use all possible means of transport, including passenger planes, cargo planes, or land routes, to bring the overseas ballot boxes to Korea before the general election day on the 15th. If it is judged impossible to return the ballot boxes, counting will be conducted at the diplomatic missions according to election law.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.