South Korea early voting hits record before local elections

May 31 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's early voting turnout for Wednesday's local elections reached a record high, prompting the ruling and opposition parties to offer sharply different interpretations of what the surge means.

The two-day early voting period ended Saturday with turnout at 23.51%, the highest level recorded for South Korean local elections. The figure was up from 20.62% in the 2022 local elections, according to the National Election Commission.

The ruling Democratic Party said the high turnout likely favored its candidates, arguing it reflected voter support for President Lee Jae-myung's government and a continued backlash against the political forces tied to the Dec. 3 martial law crisis.

Chung Chung-rae, the party's chairman, said during a campaign stop Saturday in Hongseong County, South Chungcheong Province, that high early voting usually works in the Democratic Party's favor.

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"The high early voting turnout means the situation is favorable to the Democratic Party," Chung said. "Former presidents who went to prison or were impeached appeared in the election campaign, and that seems to have stirred public sentiment. A counter-mobilization effect has appeared."

A Democratic Party official said the election carries the meaning of support for the Lee administration and "a final judgment" on the Dec. 3 martial law crisis, arguing that voters who shared that view went to the polls.

The opposition People Power Party said the same turnout reflected public anger toward the Lee government. It said voters were seeking to check the administration and send a warning over issues including housing and property policy.

Jang Dong-hyeok, the party's chairman, urged voters at a news conference Sunday to show "firm action" against what he called the arrogance and overreach of the Lee administration.

Choi Bo-yoon, spokesperson for the party's central campaign committee, said the record early turnout showed "public anger over the arrogance of the Lee Jae-myung administration" and a warning from voters in their 20s and 30s who feel the housing ladder has been cut off.

Both parties, however, remained cautious because the main vote is still ahead. Analysts said it is difficult to predict the result based only on turnout, especially as political attitudes among younger voters have shifted in recent elections.

Jang said the early voting rate rose by about 3 percentage points from the previous local elections but added that turnout alone does not make it possible to determine which side benefits.

Kang Jun-hyeon, the Democratic Party's senior spokesperson, urged voters to participate Wednesday, saying abstaining from voting means giving up the chance to choose the country's future.

South Korea's June 3 local elections will determine mayors, governors and other local government posts nationwide. The vote is also being watched as an early test of public support for Lee's government after a turbulent political year.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260531010009073