SEOUL — South Koreans headed to the polls on Wednesday to participate in parliamentary elections that are pivotal for President Yoon Suk Yeol's future governance. The elections are poised to decide whether the President will be able to advance his legislative agenda or face a reduction in power, with 14,259 polling stations open across the nation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., as stated by the National Election Commission. The elections come after a record-setting early voting period and involve more than 30 million eligible voters.
According to Yonhap News Agency, by 9 a.m., approximately 3.07 million voters, or 6.9 percent of the electorate, had already cast their ballots, marking a slight decrease from the turnout at the same time in the previous elections. This year’s elections have garnered significant public interest, evidenced by an unprecedented early voting turnout of 31.28 percent, the highest since the introduction of early voting in South Korea in 2014.
The elections are particularly crucial for the ruling People Power Party (PPP), which aims to regain a majority in the National Assembly. Failure to do so could significantly weaken Yoon's presidency during the remaining three years of his term, which concludes in 2027. The PPP has been vocal in its calls for public support to push forward its reform agenda, which it claims has been stalled by the opposition-controlled parliament.
Conversely, the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has encouraged voters to critically assess the Yoon administration, which it accuses of exacerbating economic conditions and mishandling various controversial issues over the past two years. Pre-election surveys indicated a lead for DP candidates in several districts, including those traditionally held by the PPP, though the results were within the margin of error.
The potential for the opposition bloc to secure over 200 of the 300 National Assembly seats has been a topic of much discussion. Such an outcome would grant the opposition a two-thirds majority, enabling it to override presidential vetoes and even pursue impeachment.
DP leader Lee Jae-myung urged voters to prevent the PPP from obtaining a parliamentary majority, emphasizing the significance of the vote in the lead-up to the elections. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon appealed for support to avoid national decline, stressing the need for a strong showing in the elections to counter the opposition.
The elections have also drawn attention to the emergence of new political parties, including the Rebuilding Korea Party, which has surprisingly garnered substantial support. The focus remains on the competitive battlegrounds, especially the 48 constituencies in Seoul, which are considered crucial for determining the overall election outcome.
Observers are closely watching the turnout, which could surpass the 70 percent mark, exceeding the 66.2 percent turnout in the 2020 general elections. The high level of participation in early voting has heightened anticipation for the final voter turnout and the impact of newly formed minor parties on the election dynamics.
Exit polls are expected to be released shortly after the closing of the polls at 6:30 p.m.