‘Hand Sanitizer and Vinyl Gloves...’ Unusual Scenes at the General Election Early Voting Site

Published 10 Apr.2020 14:40(KST)

Updated 21 Aug.2025 15:24(KST)

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Compliance with Strict Procedures like Fever Checks without Complaints... Mature Civic Awareness Stands Out

On the afternoon of the 10th, the first day of early voting for the 21st National Assembly election, a voter wearing a mask and plastic gloves is verifying their identity before voting at the Sangmu 1-dong early voting station set up at the Gwangju Student Education and Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Around 12:30 PM on the first day of early voting for the April 15 general election, on the first floor exhibition hall of the Gwangju Student Education and Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

At this early voting site in Sangmu 1-dong, a scene different from usual elections unfolded, with voters wearing vinyl gloves as if it were a day for kimchi-making.

Entering the polling station required going through two steps, and five staff members were on standby.

Two checked voters' temperatures with non-contact thermometers, one handed out vinyl gloves?usually seen in kitchens?to voters who used hand sanitizer.

The remaining two guided voters waiting in line to maintain a distance of at least 1 meter for “strong social distancing.”

Although wearing a thermometer, using hand sanitizer, and putting on vinyl gloves might have been bothersome for a single vote, everyone followed the procedures quietly, perhaps adapting to the social atmosphere caused by COVID-19.

Park (33) said, “Wearing vinyl gloves while voting makes me feel strange, as if a movie depicting a distant future where people live wearing gas masks is becoming reality,” adding, “On the other hand, with masks, hand sanitizer, and vinyl gloves so thoroughly provided, I feel reassured.”

On the afternoon of the 10th, the first day of early voting for the 21st National Assembly election, a voter is placing their ballot into the ballot box at the Sangmu 1-dong early voting station set up at the Gwangju Student Education and Culture Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

Inside the polling station, only a limited number of voters were allowed to enter to prevent crowding.

Perhaps because it was lunchtime, dozens of voters gathered within just 1 to 2 minutes, causing lines to extend to the parking lot.

Officials who noticed this came outside and worked hard to ensure voters kept their distance.

Voters wearing masks adhered relatively well to the unfamiliar voting procedures such as maintaining distance, temperature checks, hand sanitizing, and wearing vinyl gloves, showing a high level of civic awareness.

Some voters had difficulty voting due to the large number of proportional representation parties?dozens in total?and the fact that some parties newly created proportional representation parties.

Lee (68) said, “The proportional voting ballot was so long that I stared at it for a while, but no matter how much I looked, I couldn’t find the name of the party I support, which was frustrating,” and added, “Worried I might accidentally vote for another party, I ended up leaving the ballot blank.”

Meanwhile, early voting for the 21st National Assembly election began simultaneously nationwide on this day. Voting can be cast from 6 AM to 6 PM on the 11th.

There are 95 early voting sites in Gwangju and 297 in Jeonnam, and voters can vote anywhere nationwide regardless of their electoral district as long as they bring identification.

In the previous 20th National Assembly election, early voting rates were 15.8% in Gwangju and 18.9% in Jeonnam.

As of 2 PM on this day, the voting rate in the Gwangju area was recorded at 9.19%.

Out of a total of 1,208,263 registered voters, 111,099 participated in voting. This is twice the rate (4.22%) at the same time during the 20th general election.