Seoul, South Korea saw over 10 million voters partake in the parliamentary elections during the second and final day of early voting on Saturday. The National Election Commission reported a turnout of 23.41%, higher than the 2020 elections. Voters have until 6 p.m. Saturday to cast their ballots at 3,565 polling stations.
The first day of early voting saw a record 6.9 million voters, and all 17 major cities and provinces had a turnout exceeding 10%. South Jeolla Province led with 23.6% on the first day and continued to lead on Saturday with 32.96%. On the other hand, the city of Daegu had the lowest turnout at 18.79%.
The parliamentary elections are crucial for the ruling People Power Party, as failure to regain a majority could affect President Yoon Suk Yeol’s effectiveness in the government. The main opposition Democratic Party aims to retain its parliamentary majority. An Yonhap News Agency and Yonhap News TV survey showed 80% of respondents planned to vote, with 39% opting for early voting and 58% for Election Day.
Overall, the early voting turnout in South Korea has been higher than in previous years, indicating significant interest in the parliamentary elections. The final results will be known after Election Day on Wednesday, reflecting the will of the voters.
