Early Voting Begins for June 3 Local Elections in South Korea

6·3 지방선거와 국회의원 재·보궐선거 사전투표가 29일부터 이틀간 실시되는 가운데 여야 지도부 및 후보들은 적극적으로 사전투표에 나서며 시민들의 참여를 독려했다.
Early voting for the June 3 local elections and the National Assembly by-elections began on May 29 and will continue for two days. Leaders and candidates from both major parties actively participated in early voting and encouraged public participation.

Jung Cheong-rae, the head of the Democratic Party's election campaign committee, cast his vote at a local community center in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on May 29. After voting, he told reporters, "If we win in Seoul, we win the nation," expressing his desire to secure a victory in the capital. He added, "If you want the person you hope for to win, please vote. I hope to show the forces that have attacked our democracy the seriousness of the Constitution through the power of your vote."

Meanwhile, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk participated in the main voting, while floor leader Song Eon-seok planned to vote early on the second day, May 30, in his constituency of Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province.

Candidates for local leadership positions also began their schedules with early voting and encouraged voter turnout. Both Jung Won-o, the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul mayor, and Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party candidate, participated in early voting.

Jung completed his vote at the early voting site in the administrative complex of Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, and told reporters, "The citizens' demand for new energy and new leadership will be revealed in this election. The results may be close, but I will strive for victory with that hope."

Oh visited the early voting site at the Hanam-dong community center in Yongsan-gu, where he stated, "Seoul stands at a crossroads of whether to move toward the future or regress, and whether Korea's democracy will advance or fall into dictatorship. I hope voters will deeply consider how to lead President Lee Jae-myung with a more humble approach through this election."

In Busan, a key battleground, Democratic Party candidate Jeon Jae-soo and Ha Jung-woo, a candidate for the Busan North District by-election, both participated in early voting. Jeon stated, "I will complete the vision of Busan as a maritime capital with the citizens of Busan," emphasizing the need for representation, as there are currently no ruling party members among the 18 Busan National Assembly members.

Ha added, "If I become a representative who has worked with the government, ruling party, and the Blue House in my district, we can quickly overcome the shortcomings of the past 20 years of development," appealing for votes.

Independent candidate Han Dong-hoon, who voted early, criticized Ha, saying, "A candidate who cannot even vote alone cannot lead the North District," and expressed sympathy for Jeon, stating, "Ha is becoming a significant burden for Jeon." People Power Party candidate Park Min-sik also completed early voting on the same day.