[Report] From Office Workers to Centenarians: "Every Citizen Must Vote"

Kim Insun Casts Her Precious Vote in Jinwol-dong
From Business Suits to Sportswear, Voters of All Ages and Backgrounds

On the morning of the 29th, the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, 101-year-old grandmother Kim Insun entered the polling station at Jinwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju, supported by her daughter-in-law Lee Myungja, 68. Photo by Min Chanki

"If you are a citizen of the Republic of Korea, you must vote, no matter what." On the morning of the 29th, the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, at the Jinwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju.

Kim Insun, a 101-year-old grandmother who lives in Jinwol-dong, Nam-gu, came to the early voting station supported by her daughter-in-law, Lee Myungja, 68. Kim has lived in Nam-gu for over 30 years and has never missed a single election, always making sure to cast her vote. The most memorable election for her was the 15th presidential election, when the late former President Kim Dae-jung was elected. On this first day of early voting, she once again emphasized, "Voting is essential," and asked her daughter-in-law from the morning to help her cast her precious vote.

Upon entering the polling station, Kim realized she had forgotten her ID card, resulting in a brief episode where her daughter-in-law had to return home to retrieve it. Holding tightly onto her old ID card, which proves she was born in 1924, Kim, with the help of election officials, carefully completed her ballot to ensure it would not be invalidated.

After voting, Kim was asked questions such as, "You seem so healthy. What is your secret?" She replied, "I enjoy eating fish. I hope young people will also take good care of their health."

On the morning of the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election on the 29th, 101-year-old grandmother Kim Insun is entering the polling station at Jinwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju, supported by her daughter-in-law Lee Myungja, 68. Photo by Min Chanki

Kim said, "I am old and do not know much about the current political situation, but I voted with the hope that the next president will lead our country well. All my friends at the senior center also participated in the vote. I hope every citizen will take an interest and vote."

As of 10 a.m. on this day, more than 1,700 voters had visited the polling station, reflecting the strong enthusiasm for voting.

From people in business suits who appeared to be office workers to those in sportswear, voters of all ages and backgrounds began arriving at the polling station early in the morning. The lines at the polling station were divided into those for local and non-local voters, creating separate flows. Election officials, with tense expressions, checked the manual and reviewed procedures, while also guiding voters along the floor markings.

On the morning of the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election on the 29th, voters continue to visit the Jinwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki

Bae Mo, 41, who came to vote before heading to work, said, "I voted because I want the country to move in the right direction. Even if my single vote is small, I believe that when combined, it becomes a great force. Although voting is something I do every time, I always approach it with care. As a citizen of Gwangju, I believe I made a responsible choice."

Meanwhile, this early voting period is held over two days, from the 29th to the 30th, and voting is possible from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3,568 early voting stations nationwide. All voters aged 18 or older must bring a government-issued ID that includes their date of birth and photo, such as a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport. Mobile IDs are also accepted.

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