Early voting starts for S. Korea's 20th presidential election

Baghdad-INA
Early voting has begun in South Korea's presidential election, and the turnout is reportedly strong.
Our Kim Yeon-seung is on site with people casting their ballots at Seoul Station.
So Yeon-seung, how's it looking so far?

Well Devin, as you can see behind me there's a long line of people waiting to cast their vote.
There's quite a strong turnout.
I've been here since early morning, and the lines have been pretty long throughout the day. 
As of 4PM, 10 hours since voting started, voter turnout is at 14.1-1 percent.
That's even higher than total voting rates for the first day of the last presidential election. 
The southwest Honam region of Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces had the highest turnout, with turnout there already at 20 percent.
For two days in a row, Friday and Saturday, 3,552 polling booths will be open from 6AM to 6PM for early voting. 
As for those with COVID-19 or those in isolation, unfortunately, they won't be able to vote today. 
But they can vote between 5PM and 6PM tomorrow.
Voters must have a form of identification, such as a passport, driver's license or an ID card to vote. 
The official election day is next Wednesday. 

So Yeon-seung, I understand there have been some high-profile voters already today, including the president and the candidates themselves.
Where did they vote, and what did they have to say?


President Moon Jae-in and the first lady both cast their votes today at the Samcheong-dong community center in Seoul. 
Through social media, President Moon sent a message to encourage people to come out and vote, by saying that voting can make a better life, better politics, and a better democracy.
The main presidential candidates also went to the polling booths earlier this morning. 
Candidate Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea headed to the community center in Seoul's Sogong-dong, which is near Gwanghwamun Square. 
Conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol from the People Power Party cast his vote in Busan, a conservative stronghold. 
And Justice Party candidate Sim Sang-jung voted with her husband at Jongno-gu District in Seoul.
Take a listen to what the candidates said after voting. 


"I thought about the many people who gathered in front of Gwanghwamun Square and the city hall with candles in their hands. The criteria for this election should be the economy, overcoming crises, peace, and unity." 

"The reason I voted in Busan was because my campaign schedule is in the Busan area today, and the Nam-gu District polling booth in Daeyeon-dong is where I lived 20 years ago when I worked in Busan, so this reminds me of old memories."


"This is an election where we make a breakthrough, where we change the politics of vested interests into a multi-party system. I hope our citizens can vote with their hearts, and I ask you for your valuable votes that can change our lives.