South Korea Local Election Early Voting Hits Record 11.6% on First Day

Early voting for South Korea's local elections kicked off today, with the first-day turnout reaching 11.6%, a record high for local elections. The early voting system, established in 2012, aims to boost voter participation by allowing citizens to vote at any of the 3,571 polling stations nationwide, regardless of their registered address. According to the National Election Commission, over 5.18 million voters cast their ballots on the first day. Regionally, South Jeolla Province saw the highest turnout, while Daegu had the lowest. Additionally, by-elections for the National Assembly are being held simultaneously in 14 districts, drawing significant attention as a 'mini-general election.' The official election day is June 3, with vote counting scheduled for the same day.