Voting begins in 4.2 by-elections amid Yoon impeachment turmoil... What is the public sentiment?

Before the impeachment ruling of President Yoon Suk-yeol, the April 2 by-elections, which provide a glimpse into public sentiment, will be held on the 2nd at 23 locations nationwide. The early voting rate conducted on the 28th and 29th of last month was 7.94%, marking the lowest level in 8 years.

On March 28, 2025, a voter is casting a ballot at an early voting station set up at Gaebong 2-dong Community Center in Guro-gu, Seoul, during the advance voting for the April 2 by-election. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

According to the National Election Commission, voting on this day will take place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1,468 polling stations nationwide. Elections will be held for the Busan Superintendent of Education, 5 heads of basic local governments (Guro-gu in Seoul, Asan-si in Chungnam, Damyang-gun in Jeonnam, Gimcheon-si in Gyeongbuk, Geoje-si in Gyeongnam), 8 metropolitan council members (Dalseo in Daegu, Ganghwa in Incheon, Yuseong in Daejeon, Bundang in Seongnam, Gunpo in Gyeonggi, Dangjin in Chungnam, Seongju in Gyeongbuk, Changwon Masanhwawon in Gyeongnam), and 9 basic council members (Jungnang, Mapo, Dongjak in Seoul; Ganghwa in Incheon; Gwangyang, Damyang, Goheung in Jeonnam; Goryeong in Gyeongbuk; Yangsan in Gyeongnam).

As of 10 a.m., the voter turnout was recorded at 3.8% for the Guro-gu mayoral election in Seoul, 7.3% for the Asan mayoral election in Chungnam, 7.9% for the Gimcheon mayoral election in Gyeongbuk, and 7.1% for the Geoje mayoral election in Gyeongnam. The Busan Superintendent of Education election showed a turnout of 3.3%.

The Election Commission urged, "Voting can only be done at the designated polling station based on the resident registration address," and emphasized, "You must bring an ID for identity verification." The commission also added that taking photos of the ballot inside the voting booth, damaging the ballot paper, and soliciting votes within 100 meters of the polling station are prohibited.

The early voting rate over the two days of the 28th and 29th last month was 7.94%. This is the lowest level in 8 years since 2017 (5.90%). Some interpret this as a result of relatively low interest in the April 2 by-elections due to major issues such as President Yoon’s impeachment trial and the large-scale wildfires in Gyeongnam and Gyeongbuk. If the low turnout continues in the main voting, the final turnout may remain around 20%. However, voter turnout in some key constituencies where both ruling and opposition parties are focusing their efforts is expected to be relatively higher.

The winners are expected to be announced around midnight on the same day. If the turnout is low, the announcement could be even earlier.

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