Latest news with #NationalElectionCommission
UPI
4 hours ago
- Politics
- UPI
Early voting turnout for South Korean president hits 34.74%
May 31 (UPI) -- With three days until the presidential election in South Korea, the candidates are making their final push to replace impeached President Yoon Sook-yeol with more than a third already casting their votes. The two days of early voting ended at 6 p.m. Friday. Of the 44.3 million eligible South Korean voters, 34.74% have voted, according to the National Election Commission. This is the second highest turnout since nationwide early voting was introduced in 2014, according to the NEC. It was 36.93% for the 2022 presidential election. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung and People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo encouraged people to go to the polls early. In the latest poll, Lee led with 42.9% support followed by Kim with 36.8%, according to Yonhap. Lee Jun-seo, of the minor conservative New Reform Party, came in third with 10.3%. "The morale at the Democratic Camp is much more energetic, especially after the historic impeachment trial," David Lee, a Seoul-based journalist, told Al Jazeera. "PPP supporters, on the other hand, are navigating murkier waters." South Korean police said this week they had apprehended at least 690 people over related incidents, according to Yonhap. Lee attended a rally in Pyeongtaek, around 37 miles south of Seoul, on Saturday. Lee said he has been wearing a bulletproof vest and installed bulletproof glass at campaign rallies after threats on his life. He called alleged opinion rigging by a far-right group as an "act of rebellion" that must be held accountable. "How can they be manipulating comments, making fake news in this day and age, and systematically making preparations to ruin the election results," he asked. "Can this be forgiven? We must root it out." On Friday, Lee visited Chuncheon and Wonju in Gangwon Province before heading to Chungju in North Chungcheong Province for his campaign rallies. This marks his first visit to Gangwon during the campaign period. Kim launched a 90-hour nonstop overnight campaign tour across the country. Kim, during a rally in the eastern Gangwon Province, called for the "banishing" Lee from politics. "Lee has been found guilty of lying," he said. "What would happen [to the country] if he becomes president?" Kim said he would be a "clean" president if elected. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court sent Lee's case back to the Seoul High Court for a retrial. They decided the lower court's decision to acquit Lee of false statements during the previous presidential race in 2021. Lee, appearing on cable broadcaster JTBC's YouTube channel, called for a special counsel probe to fully hold accountable those involved in Yoon's martial law bid. "To bring the insurrection to a complete end, all those responsible or complicit must be identified and held accountable," he said.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
South Koreans rally for presidential hopefuls days before vote
Photo: AP SEOUL: Thousands of supporters of South Korea's two leading presidential candidates rallied on Saturday in Seoul, days before a vote triggered by the ex-leader's disastrous declaration of martial law. Tuesday's election caps months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol's brief suspension of civilian rule in December, for which he was impeached and removed from office. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Kim Moon-soo, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) that Yoon left this month, trailed behind at 35 percent. Organisers from both camps told police they expected tens of thousands of supporters to rally in Seoul on Saturday. In Seocho, in the south of the capital, Lee supporters gathered holding signs condemning Yoon's "insurrection". "I believe the outcome of the presidential election is already decided," Lee Kyung-joon, a Lee supporter, told AFP. "I came to today's rally to help condemn the forces involved in the martial law attempt," he added, referring to ex-president Yoon's political allies. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Yoon is currently on trial for insurrection, and Kwon Oh-hyeok, one of the organisers of Saturday's rally, said a Lee victory in the June 3 vote was crucial to holding him accountable. "Isn't the People Power Party's decision to run in the snap election -- triggered by Yoon's removal from office -- an insult and a betrayal of the people?" Kwon told rally participants. "Fellow citizens, we must win by a landslide to deliver the justice this moment demands." On the other side of town, in Gwanghwamun Square, conservatives -- including supporters of disgraced ex-leader Yoon -- filled the streets holding signs that read "Yoon Again" and "Early voting is invalid!" Yoon's martial law attempt, which he claimed was necessary to "root out" pro-North Korean, "anti-state" forces, emboldened a wave of extreme supporters including far-right YouTubers and radical religious figures. Many have spread unverified content online, including allegations of Chinese espionage and fraud within South Korea's electoral system. That sentiment was on full display at Saturday's rally, where protesters called for the dissolution of the National Election Commission over a series of mishaps during the two-day early voting period this week. "People believe the root of all these problems lies with the National Election Commission, and that it should be held accountable," conservative protester Rhee Kang-san told AFP. Deepening polarisation Both frontrunner Lee of the liberal Democratic Party and conservative challenger Kim have cast the race as a battle for the soul of the country. More than a third of those eligible cast their ballots in early voting on Thursday and Friday, according to the election commission. Overseas voting reached a record high, with nearly four-fifths of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. Experts say that regardless of who wins, South Korea's polarisation is likely to deepen. If Lee wins, the conservatives "will do whatever it takes to undermine him and his government, whether their logic makes sense or not", political analyst Park Sang-byung told AFP. "Unless the PPP distances itself from Yoon's extremist base, it could turn to misinformation -- such as unfounded claims of election fraud -- to mobilise the right against Lee. That's a troubling prospect," he said. Whoever succeeds Yoon will also have to grapple with a worsening economic downturn, one of the world's lowest birth rates, the soaring cost of living and bellicose neighbour North Korea. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner.
France 24
10 hours ago
- Politics
- France 24
South Koreans rally for presidential hopefuls days before vote
Tuesday's election caps months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol's brief suspension of civilian rule in December, for which he was impeached and removed from office. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Kim Moon-soo, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) that Yoon left this month, trailed behind at 35 percent. Organisers from both camps told police they expected tens of thousands of supporters to rally in Seoul on Saturday. In Seocho, in the south of the capital, Lee supporters gathered holding signs condemning Yoon's "insurrection". "I believe the outcome of the presidential election is already decided," Lee Kyung-joon, a Lee supporter, told AFP. "I came to today's rally to help condemn the forces involved in the martial law attempt," he added, referring to ex-president Yoon's political allies. Yoon is currently on trial for insurrection, and Kwon Oh-hyeok, one of the organisers of Saturday's rally, said a Lee victory in the June 3 vote was crucial to holding him accountable. "Isn't the People Power Party's decision to run in the snap election -- triggered by Yoon's removal from office -- an insult and a betrayal of the people?" Kwon told rally participants. "Fellow citizens, we must win by a landslide to deliver the justice this moment demands." On the other side of town, in Gwanghwamun Square, conservatives -- including supporters of disgraced ex-leader Yoon -- filled the streets holding signs that read "Yoon Again" and "Early voting is invalid!" Yoon's martial law attempt, which he claimed was necessary to "root out" pro–North Korean, "anti-state" forces, emboldened a wave of extreme supporters including far-right YouTubers and radical religious figures. Many have spread unverified content online, including allegations of Chinese espionage and fraud within South Korea's electoral system. That sentiment was on full display at Saturday's rally, where protesters called for the dissolution of the National Election Commission over a series of mishaps during the two-day early voting period this week. "People believe the root of all these problems lies with the National Election Commission, and that it should be held accountable," conservative protester Rhee Kang-san told AFP. - Deepening polarisation - Both frontrunner Lee of the liberal Democratic Party and conservative challenger Kim have cast the race as a battle for the soul of the country. More than a third of those eligible cast their ballots in early voting on Thursday and Friday, according to the election commission. Overseas voting reached a record high, with nearly four-fifths of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. Experts say that regardless of who wins, South Korea's polarisation is likely to deepen. If Lee wins, the conservatives "will do whatever it takes to undermine him and his government, whether their logic makes sense or not", political analyst Park Sang-byung told AFP. "Unless the PPP distances itself from Yoon's extremist base, it could turn to misinformation -- such as unfounded claims of election fraud -- to mobilise the right against Lee. That's a troubling prospect," he said. Whoever succeeds Yoon will also have to grapple with a worsening economic downturn, one of the world's lowest birth rates, the soaring cost of living and bellicose neighbour North Korea. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Koreans to rally for presidential hopefuls before vote
Tens of thousands of supporters are expected to rally in Seoul's central Gwanghwamun square and the southern Seocho neighbourhood on May 31. PHOTO: AFP South Koreans to rally for presidential hopefuls before vote Seoul -Supporters of South Korea's two leading presidential candidates were due to rally on May 31 in Seoul, days ahead of a vote triggered by the ex-leader's disastrous declaration of martial law. The June 3 election caps months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol's brief suspension of civilian rule in December, for which he was impeached and removed from office. South Korea has since been led by a series of lame-duck acting presidents as its export-driven economy grapples with trade turmoil abroad and sluggish demand at home. And both front runner Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party and conservative challenger Kim Moon-soo have cast the race as a battle for the soul of the country. Organisers from both camps have told police they expect tens of thousands of supporters to rally in Seoul's central Gwanghwamun square and the southern Seocho neighbourhood on May 31 afternoon. Over a third of those eligible have already cast their ballots in early voting, according to Seoul's National Election Commission. Overseas voting reached a record high, with nearly four-fifths of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. All major polls have placed liberal Lee well ahead in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 per cent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Mr Kim, from the ruling People Power Party that Yoon left in May, trailed behind at 35 per cent. Lawyer-turned-politician Lee has pledged to bring those behind the martial law declaration to justice and told supporters they are voting for 'revolution'. And former labour minister Kim – who rose to fame when he refused to bow in apology for that bid to suspend civilian rule – has vowed to defend the country from 'extremist forces' seeking 'chaos'. Whoever succeeds Yoon will have to grapple with a deepening economic downturn, one of the world's lowest birth rates and a soaring cost of living. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Turnout for early voting in South Korea falls short of 2022 at 34.74%
Vote counting starts at a polling station in Jung-gu of Seoul on Friday. - Photo: Yonhap SEOUL: Some 15.4 million South Korean voters went to the polls to cast their votes for the next president during the two-day period for early voting. But the number of those voting before Tuesday's (June 3) election levelled off on the second day, reversing earlier anticipation for a new record of early votes this year. Voter turnout for the two days of in-person voting at 3,568 designated polling stations nationwide recorded 34.74 percent, according to the National Election Commission. That was lower than the 36.93 percent early turnout recorded ahead of the 2022 election. With turnout on the first day of early voting having reached a new high of 19.68 percent Thursday, anticipation was soaring for a record portion of the approximately 44.4 million voters in South Korea to go to polls in advance, with the election to mark a watershed moment for a country still reeling from the political crisis in the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law. The number of voters having participated in advance voting surpassed 10 million by 10am Friday (May 30). It took 16 hours of early poll operations to hit that milestone number — shorter than 17 hours in 2022. However, turnout had begun to plateau by 2pm Friday. As of 2pm turnout amounted to 28.59 percent, down 0.15 percentage point from 2022. Three hours later — an hour before polling stations closed — the gap had widened to 1.74 percentage points. Rep. Kim Yong-tae, interim chair of the conservative People Power Party, said that incidents exemplifying poor management at polling stations for advance voting nationwide sparked public distrust in election authorities and led people to refrain from casting their votes. Kim cited news reports that some voters had brought ballots out of polling stations and carried them with them to have lunch outside. He also said a woman at a polling station working there was arrested for casting a vote for her husband without him being present, while ballots intended for the 2024 general elections were presented at some polling stations. "People are appalled by the botched election management," Kim said, raising a need for an all-out inspection of polling stations this year, while suggesting a change in election law to make it mandatory for all early-voting ballots to carry the signature of a polling station staff member. Yoon, who was impeached in mid-December and formally ousted in April for his brief imposition of martial law in early December, had cited the threat of election rigging during early voting sessions as among the reasons for the deployment of armed forces to the country's election authority on Dec 3, 2024. Yoon has claimed that he had intended to inspect the election authorities. - The Korea Herald/ANN
