[April 15 General Election] "Hope They Feel the Meaning of One Vote and Do Good Politics..."

Voting for the 21st National Assembly Election Continues Until 6 PM

Fever Checks, Hand Sanitizers, and Vinyl Gloves Enforced for Safety Compliance

On the 15th, the voting day for the 21st National Assembly election, around 11:30 a.m., voters at the polling station of Geon-guk Elementary School in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, are preparing to vote while wearing plastic gloves.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] At 6 a.m. on the 15th, the 21st National Assembly election began simultaneously nationwide.

From early morning, citizens of Gwangju visited polling stations with the determination to carefully cast their votes to elect the "8 National Assembly members who will truly work."

Around 9 a.m., at the polling station set up at Geon-guk Elementary School in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, people from all walks of life lined up, including a couple pushing a stroller, a young man on crutches due to a leg injury, and elderly citizens with white hair.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, everyone wore masks, but behind the masks, one could sense calm expressions and solemn looks as if heading to a battlefield.

Seo Dong-min (42), who came on crutches with a cast on his left ankle, said, "As a citizen of the Republic of Korea, I believe I must exercise the one vote given to me," adding, "I hope the candidate who receives my vote becomes a member of the assembly and that member feels the sincerity of the votes from the citizens and practices good politics."

Just like during early voting, the inconvenience of having to wear masks, undergo temperature checks, use hand sanitizer, and wear plastic gloves did not deter citizens from coming to cast their votes.

Due to social distancing measures caused by COVID-19, the number of voters entering the polling station was controlled, and lines extended about 1 meter apart, but citizens followed the instructions of polling station staff without showing discomfort.

Around 11:30 a.m., just before lunchtime, voters began to flock to this polling station in earnest.

On the 15th, the voting day for the 21st National Assembly election, voters are lining up and waiting at the polling station of Geon-guk Elementary School in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City at around 11:30 a.m.

Yoon Jeong-yong (35), holding the hand of her four-year-old son, said, "I was hesitant about bringing my son out because of COVID-19, but I remembered my father taking me to the polling station when I was young, saying 'You must vote,' so I brought him along," and added, "I believe that each vote can come together to change the world," as she entered the polling station.

Some voters were also seen trying to obtain a "voting confirmation slip" to take voting certification photos. In the past, people stamped their hands and took photos, but due to COVID-19, not only do they wear plastic gloves, but they are also advised to refrain from doing so for hygiene reasons.

Voters who visited the polling station on this day sent realistic requests to the candidates likely to be elected, asking them to improve the quality of life through policies for regional development.

They also unanimously agreed that all candidates who ran in the general election should resolve any accumulated grievances during the election period and work together.

Meanwhile, the 21st National Assembly election held on this day will be open for voting until 6 p.m. Voters must bring photo identification issued by government or public institutions, such as a resident registration card, passport, or driver's license.

In the Gwangju area, voting is taking place at a total of 369 polling stations, and as of 2 p.m., the voter turnout combined with early voting stands at 54.8%.

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