Over 31% of eligible voters cast ballots in South Korea early voting

By Anadolu staff

More than 31% of eligible voters cast their vote in two-day early voting in the South Korea parliamentary elections as the polling ended on Saturday evening, local media said.

According to the country's National Election Commission, over 13.84 million out of over 44.28 million eligible voters, cast their ballots at 3,565 polling stations across the country, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.

The turnout in early voting hit a record 31.28% for the first time in any general election in South Korea.

In the 2020 election, the turnout in early voting was 24.95%.

People who could not vote in early polling will cast their ballots next week on Wednesday.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, the ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, main opposition Democratic Party chairman Lee Jae-myung, and former President Moon Jae- cast their vote on Friday.

The vote is seen as a test of the Yoon administration as the ruling party is aiming to increase its seats in the 300-member parliament, where the opposition currently commands a majority.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid