"One Vote Today to Change Tomorrow"... Heated Enthusiasm for TK and PK Voting

On the 9th, the voting day of the 20th presidential election, citizens are casting their votes around 1 PM at Pungho No.1 polling station in Changwon-si, Gyeongnam. Photo by Joo Cheol-in lx906@

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Ju Cheol-in] On the 9th, the day of the 20th presidential election, while the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 340,000, setting a record high, the enthusiasm for voting in Daegu as well as the TK and PK regions was hotter than in other areas.

This election was conducted amid criticism as the "most disliked presidential election ever," due to mudslinging not only over the candidates but also "family risks." However, there is a common opinion that casting a precious vote to elect the leader who will lead South Korea's future for the next five years is more important than ever.

According to the National Election Commission, the nationwide voter turnout from 6 a.m. on that day was 20.3% as of 12 noon.

By region, Daegu recorded the highest turnout nationwide at 23.5%. This was followed by Ulsan at 21.4%, Gyeongnam at 20.7%, and Busan at 19.9%.

Earlier, in the early voting held on the 5th, 16,323,602 people nationwide participated in early voting on the 4th and 5th, with rates of 41.02% in Gyeongbuk, 35.91% in Gyeongnam, 35.30% in Ulsan, 34.25% in Busan, and 33.91% in Daegu. This enthusiasm for voting was so intense that it set a record high since early voting was first introduced in the 2014 local elections.

Kim (age 21), a university student voting in a presidential election for the first time in their life, said, "I still don't know who to vote for, but I hope my precious vote changes tomorrow and makes the world a happier place."

However, as the National Election Commission's poor management during early voting was revealed, there is speculation that voters' "sense of crisis" regarding fair elections could lead to either low turnout or consolidation of support bases. There are also criticisms that this provided grounds for allegations of early voting fraud or disputes over election results after the presidential election.

On the main voting day, the voting times for general voters and COVID-19 confirmed or quarantined voters will be separated.

COVID-19 confirmed or quarantined voters can vote after 6 p.m., once general voters have finished voting and left the polling stations, by placing their marked ballots into the same ballot boxes as general voters. Concerns remain about the possibility of problems recurring, such as long waiting times and voters giving up on voting, if the number of confirmed cases surges.

Regarding the controversy over poor management of early voting, a representative from the Gyeongnam Provincial Election Commission said, "We will take the problems revealed during early voting as lessons and prepare for all possibilities to ensure there are no gaps."

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