"‘I Wanted to Vote Quickly’ - Heated Presidential Election Atmosphere on First Early Voting Day"

From Early Morning, Citizens Keep Coming... Casting Precious Votes to "Revive the Economy"

A voter casting a ballot on the morning of the 4th, the first day of early voting for the 20th presidential election, at the Usan-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] "I wanted to express my political opinion as soon as possible."

On the morning of the 4th, the first day of early voting for the 20th presidential election, voters continued to visit the Usan-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City to cast their precious votes.

Passing by metal railings with election posters of presidential candidates, office workers, housewives, and students headed to the polling station on the third floor of the community center from early morning, making the presidential election fever palpable. Most of them were middle-aged or older men.

The civil complaint parking lot was full, and although there was no long queue inside the polling station, groups of 3 to 5 citizens continuously came and went at intervals.

They entered after receiving guidance from early voting staff and having their temperature checked, wearing plastic gloves in accordance with the COVID-19 situation.

They inserted their ID into the identity verification device, briefly removed their masks to confirm their faces, and then had their thumb fingerprints recognized. After that, they received the printed ballot and headed to the voting booth.

Most people were eager to participate in the election as soon as possible ahead of the main voting day on the 9th, but some coincidentally had business trips in Seoul on that day or were about to move soon, revealing personal circumstances.

The voters met that day unanimously said they chose based on the hot issue of real estate policy, a key economic pledge, and the candidate’s leadership and character. They showed sensitivity to the three main elements of the election: policy, personality, and issues.

Mr. Lee (38) said, "House prices are rising sharply, increasing the burden on ordinary people, so I hope a competent president who can thoroughly solve housing and real estate problems will be elected in this presidential election."

Mr. Lee Jin-ho (52) said, "After watching several debates, I chose the candidate I thought could lead the future," adding, "I could not trust a candidate who studied overnight and could not explain economic policies concretely."

Other responses included, "I hope the president understands the difficulties of ordinary people and strongly drives welfare policies," "I hope a comfortable and gentle president is born," and "We need an honest worker who will revive the economy and dedicate themselves to the people."

Early voting will be held for two days from this day, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and during this period, voters can vote at any nearby early voting station without separate registration. To vote, voters must bring a photo ID issued by a government or public institution, such as a resident registration card, passport, or driver’s license.

COVID-19 confirmed patients and quarantined individuals can vote at a temporary voting booth separated from general voters if they arrive at the early voting station between 5 p.m. and before 6 p.m. on the 5th, the time allowed for going out by the quarantine authorities.

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