Early Voting Day One Turnout Hits 11.6%, Record High for Local Elections

The first-day turnout for early voting in the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections surpassed the record high for local elections. Early voting, held from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 29th, closed with a turnout of 11.6%, higher than the 10.18% recorded four years ago. Analysts say the rise in turnout came as President Lee Jae-myung and leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties unanimously encouraged voters to actively participate, leading to a full-scale consolidation of support bases.

According to political circles, President Lee and his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, cast early ballots at the Samcheong-dong community center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, that morning, voting for their registered home address in Gyeyang-gu, Incheon. President Lee wore a gray tie instead of a color symbolizing a particular party, such as blue (the Democratic Party) or red (the People Power Party), emphasizing a message of "electoral neutrality."

The ruling and opposition parties also moved to encourage early voting, devoting their full efforts to rallying their support bases. Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, after casting an early ballot in his constituency of Mapo-gu, Seoul, said, "If you vote, you win. If you really want the person you wish for to be elected, please be sure to vote." Song Eon-seok, the People Power Party floor leader, stressed to party members, "This election is one to judge the arrogant power of the Lee Jae-myung administration and to prevent the collapse of the economy, security, and constitutional order."

By region, North Jeolla recorded the highest early voting turnout in the nation at 19.39%. It was followed by the administratively integrated South Jeolla-Gwangju (18.79%) and Gangwon (14.37%). In contrast, Daegu recorded the nation's lowest turnout at 9.02%. The early voting turnout for the National Assembly by-elections was 12.07%.