South Koreans turned out in record numbers on Thursday for early voting in the country’s snap presidential election, scheduled for June 3, amid ongoing political instability and an economic downturn. Data from the National Election Commission showed that by 11 a.m. local time (0200 GMT), 3,107,164 people—7.00% of eligible voters—had already cast their ballots, the highest early turnout for a presidential election to date. The figure compares with 5.38% at the same point in the 2022 vote.
The early election was called following months of political turmoil and a power vacuum left by former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law. The contest has since emerged as a critical turning point for the country, with concerns over economic recovery, energy policy, and gender equality dominating the debate.
Lee Jae-myung, the liberal Democratic Party candidate and frontrunner before the opinion polling blackout on Wednesday, cast his ballot in a university district in Seoul. “In order to overcome the current crisis… and start again as a Korea of recovery and growth, please vote,” Lee said after voting.
His statement followed the Bank of Korea’s decision on Thursday to cut interest rates and lower its 2025 growth forecast for the country to 0.8%, down from 1.5%, underlining the economic challenges facing the next administration. Lee has pledged to launch a new Ministry of Climate and Energy to address climate change and restructure the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to better promote equal rights and respond to concerns over reverse discrimination.
His conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party, also voted on Thursday. According to the last Gallup Korea poll published before the blackout, Lee Jae-myung led with 49% support, while Kim trailed at 35%, and Lee Jun-seok held 11%.
Kim had significantly narrowed what was originally a 20-point gap with Lee Jae-myung when the campaign began on May 12. However, his efforts to unite the conservative vote suffered a setback as Lee Jun-seok refused to withdraw and endorse him.
South Korea has 44.39 million eligible voters, and early voting will continue through Friday ahead of next week’s main election day.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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