President Moon's 'Politics of Voting': Will the Blue House Early Voting Event Be Repeated?

2018 Local Elections, President Moon and Key Blue House Aides Fully Participate in Early Voting... Considering COVID-19 Specifics, Calm Election Participation Expected in This General Election

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Heo Mi-dam] Whether President Moon Jae-in participates in early voting is a key point to gauge the Blue House's perception of the 21st general election. This election is a crucial vote that will determine the momentum of national governance.

If President Moon and key aides at the Blue House participate in the early voting held on the 10th and 11th, it could serve as a political driving force to increase voter turnout. On the other hand, considering that President Moon has instructed the Blue House staff to maintain a 'general election silence order' to preempt controversies over election interference, it is also possible that he may refrain from participating in early voting.

In the most recent nationwide election, the 7th simultaneous local elections held on June 13, 2018, the Blue House staged a political event around early voting. President Moon and First Lady Kim Jung-sook visited the Samcheong-dong Community Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on June 8, five days before the local election day, to participate in early voting.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the community center near the Blue House, most of the key aides, including Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok, Policy Chief Jang Ha-sung, and National Security Office Chief Chung Eui-yong, accompanied the president. At that time, the Blue House spokesperson explained the background of President Moon's early voting participation as "a measure to increase voter turnout."

The voter turnout recorded on the first day of President Moon's early voting was 8.77%, nearly double the 4.75% turnout during the 2014 local elections. The general analysis is that the Blue House's early voting political event helped boost voter turnout.

The president's movements outside the Blue House are strictly secured due to security protocols. It is a principle not to disclose to the public when and how President Moon will participate in voting until the voting act is completed. Considering the importance of the 21st general election, there is speculation that the Blue House's early voting political event could be repeated.

On the 9th, an early voting station for the 21st National Assembly election is being set up at Seoul Station. Early voting will take place over two days, from the 10th to the 11th, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. / Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

If President Moon participates in early voting, it could have a side-support effect for the ruling party. However, given that a silence order has been issued to Blue House aides, choosing an action that could lead to political controversy is a burden. This suggests that President Moon is likely to participate in a calmer atmosphere than in previous elections.

Whether he votes on the general election day, the 15th, or participates in early voting, he is expected to be careful not to make it appear as a political event. Another variable is that President Moon is currently focusing national governance on overcoming the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Meanwhile, early voting for the 21st general election will be held nationwide at 3,508 early voting stations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 10th and 11th. Special early voting stations will be set up at eight residential treatment centers where COVID-19 confirmed patients are located. Voters can cast their vote at any early voting station nationwide without separate registration by bringing an official ID issued by a government office or public institution.

The National Election Commission plans to conduct disinfection at early voting stations and perform voter temperature checks through dedicated personnel. Voters with a fever (37.5 degrees Celsius or higher) or respiratory symptoms will be guided to vote at separately installed temporary voting booths.

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