[Report] "I Came Out Angry" Early Voting Rate for April 15 General Election Hits Record High

Record High Early Voting Turnout in 21st General Election
Citizens Unfazed by Complicated Procedures Like Wearing Plastic Gloves Due to COVID-19
"Talking Politics with Sons and Daughters" Many Family Voters on Weekends

On the afternoon of the 10th, at an early voting station for the 21st general election located in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, numerous people are lined up in a long queue to cast their precious votes. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I talked about politics with my family, and it was so much fun." , "I voted for the person I wanted to vote for" , "I came out because I was angry"

The early voting rate for the 21st general election recorded a high turnout, drawing attention to the overall election turnout. Citizens showed no concern despite the complicated voting procedures caused by the aftermath of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Citizens who visited polling stations in family units engaged in heated discussions about the politicians and parties they supported in small groups. Following the high turnout, the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party each offered interpretations favorable to their parties.

According to the National Election Commission (NEC), the early voting rate for the 21st general election held on the 10th and 11th recorded a nationwide average of 26.69%. This is the highest turnout ever recorded in nationwide elections since the introduction of the early voting system. Jeonnam recorded the highest turnout among metropolitan areas nationwide at 35.77%, followed by Jeonbuk at 34.75%, Sejong at 32.37%, and Gwangju at 32.18%.

Initially, the political circles expected a low early voting rate due to decreased interest in the election caused by the spread of COVID-19. However, the actual turnout confirmed a record high, raising expectations that the high turnout could continue through the main voting day on the 15th.

On the afternoon of the 10th, a long line formed at an early voting station in Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul, due to the crowd of people waiting to vote. The line stretched over approximately 50 meters at a glance. People used their mobile phones to check candidates' pledges or discussed with acquaintances about the candidates' personalities and the suitability of their parties.

On the afternoon of the 11th, residents gathered in front of a community center in OO-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul, to participate in the early voting for the 21st general election. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

On Saturday the 11th, the situation was similar at a community center in OO-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul. Despite it being the weekend, people lined up outside the building waiting to cast their votes.

They maintained the '1-meter distancing' rule due to COVID-19, took their temperatures in turn, sanitized their hands, received plastic gloves, and then proceeded to the voting area.

Inside the polling station, voters submitted their resident registration cards or other identification to NEC officials, lowered their masks for identity verification, and then voted. Although the voting procedure had become more complicated than before, the atmosphere was unconcerned.

A man in his 50s, Mr. A, whom we met near the polling station, said, "I came to vote with my family," adding, "We talked about politics, and everyone found it interesting." He continued, "Even within the family, political orientations differ. We had many discussions about whether the candidate I support would win or lose, and it seems even the children are showing interest in politics."

Another voter, a man in his 30s, Mr. B, said, "I think this is the first time I've ever stood in line to vote," adding, "I would feel good if the candidate I support wins."

A man in his 20s, Mr. C, said, "I was worried about how 'social distancing' would be maintained at the polling station due to COVID-19," but added, "However, seeing the polling station, the staff are managing well, so I have no worries."

At the entrance of this polling station that day, three community center officials sprayed hand sanitizer directly on citizens and distributed plastic gloves to each person.

When the '1-meter distancing' for voting narrowed, they asked people to maintain distance for voting and paid close attention to keeping the space. For voters from outside the district, a separate line was created to facilitate quick voting.

On the afternoon of the 11th, the last day of early voting for the 21st National Assembly members, citizens lined up to vote in Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, both ruling and opposition parties claimed the early voting rate was favorable to themselves. On the 11th, Hyun Geun-taek, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea's election committee, said in a written briefing, "It shows the passionate will of the people who desire to overcome the COVID-19 national crisis, live well together in Korea, and open a country worthy of its name."

Kim Jong-in, the general election committee chairman of the United Future Party, expressed optimism, saying, "In the metropolitan area, historically, a high early voting rate has favored the opposition party based on past experience, so the high early voting rate is relatively encouraging."

Meanwhile, according to the second voter awareness survey conducted by Gallup Korea on behalf of the NEC on the 12th targeting 1,500 voters nationwide aged 18 and over, 79.0% of all voters responded that they would definitely vote.

This is a 6.3 percentage point increase in respondents expressing active voting intention compared to the first survey conducted ten days earlier. It is also higher than the 66.6% response rate during the 20th general election. Including the 15.1% who said they would vote if possible, 94.1% showed an intention to participate in voting.

64.0% responded that they had decided on a candidate to vote for, while 36.0% had not yet decided. The criteria for candidate selection were 'affiliated party' (31.1%) first, followed by 'policy/pledges' (28.7%), 'personality/ability' (25.2%), and 'political experience' (5.5%).

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