[21st General Election] Changed Polling Station Scenes Due to COVID-19... Some Disturbances (Comprehensive)

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On the morning of the 15th, the election day for the 21st National Assembly, citizens are waiting their turn to vote while maintaining distance at the 1st polling station in Guui 3-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Gwan-ju and Lee Jung-yoon] The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic did not stop voters from casting their precious votes. On the morning of the 15th, the day of the 21st National Assembly election, citizens heading to polling stations formed long lines.

At around 6:30 a.m. that day, a line over 100 meters long formed outside the gate of Gangnam Elementary School gymnasium, where the first polling station was set up in Sangdo 1-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul.

The appearance of the polling stations was very different from previous years due to the COVID-19 situation. All voters wore masks, and in the interest of 'social distancing,' they waited maintaining a 1-meter distance at spots marked with blue tape. A disinfection foot mat was installed in front of the polling station, which voters stepped on before proceeding. They received and wore plastic gloves before their identity was verified and they received their ballots.

In Gwangjin-eul, a fiercely contested electoral district in Seoul, voters gathered early to cast their precious votes. At the polling station set up at Shinyang Elementary School at around 6:20 a.m., about 50 voters formed a line over 50 meters long, waiting for their turn.

On the 15th, the day of the 21st National Assembly election, voters are putting on plastic gloves before voting at a polling station set up at Hyehwa Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Here too, all voters wore masks, and their temperatures were checked before entering the polling station. However, in the early stages of voting, there were complaints that social distancing of at least 1 meter was not properly observed. One voter said, "Although we wore masks, the waiting distance was too narrow, so I felt uneasy." After some time, once social distancing guidance was provided, voters waited maintaining distance from the person in front and behind.

Despite the potentially uncomfortable situation, voters calmly waited to cast their precious votes. From a 40-year-old daughter holding the hand of her mother in her 80s to a 20-year-old university student who came with a friend, everyone had bright expressions. University student Kim Woo-seok (24) said, "I planned to vote early in the morning and then go back to work on my assignments, but I was surprised by how many people there were," and smiled, adding, "I hesitated about voting because of COVID-19, but I thought it was right to exercise my rights as a citizen."

One of the features of this election was the 'record-breaking' proportional representation ballot paper, which measured 48.1 cm. Since 35 parties fielded candidates, the longest ballot paper in history was produced. Some voters had difficulty putting the ballot into the box at once and had to fold it twice to fit. Office worker Son (36) said, "Even after folding it twice, it didn't fit well into the ballot box," adding, "I didn't know there were so many parties in our country, and it seems like they are just trying to secure a seat in the National Assembly by any means, which doesn't look good."

On the 15th, the day of the 21st National Assembly election, voters are casting their precious votes at Gunja-dong 2nd Polling Station set up at the Chevrolet Dongseoul dealership in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

There was also a disturbance at a polling station. At around 7:50 a.m. that day, a man in his 60s causing a disturbance at a polling station in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, was taken into police custody. The man, reportedly intoxicated, went to a polling station other than the one designated for him and caused a commotion, saying, "Why can't I vote?" Unlike early voting, voting on the actual election day is only allowed at the designated polling station. The police declared the highest emergency level, 'Gapho Emergency,' mobilizing 100% of available personnel and strengthened security measures. A total of 70,138 police officers were deployed for managing polling and counting stations and escorting ballot boxes.

As this election was held amid the twists and turns of the COVID-19 pandemic, voters who cast their precious votes expressed their hopes for the 21st National Assembly. Lee Young-hee (65) said, "Because of COVID-19, the economy and the country are struggling," adding, "I hope someone who will truly work for the country, not ideology, will be elected." Seo (34) said, "Since going out itself was refreshing, it felt like a special election," and added, "Our country's brand value has risen significantly due to COVID-19, so I hope for clean politics that does not damage our national dignity."

Meanwhile, as of 11 a.m. that day, the nationwide voter turnout was 15.3%, down 0.8 percentage points compared to the 20th general election four years ago. From 1 p.m., early voting, absentee voting, overseas voting, and other votes will be combined in the turnout rate.

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