"Urgent Need for Price Stability"·"Hope Youth Welfare is Prioritized"... Continued Visits to Cast Precious Votes

Holding hands with children and grandchildren... Precious steps for voting continue despite mobility difficulties
"To create a better Republic of Korea"

From the morning of the 10th, the voting day for the 22nd National Assembly election, voters continued to visit polling stations to cast their precious votes. Despite the early hour, some voters were seen holding the hands of their young children or stopping by the polling stations before going on spring outings.

At around 9 a.m. that day, at Hyehwa-dong Resident Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, which is built in the style of a hanok, the Hyehwa-dong 2nd polling station was set up. Kang Ki-yoon (46), who came with his 8-year-old daughter, said, "My daughter wanted to see the voting process in person," adding, "Since she will have to vote when she becomes an adult, I brought her along to show her in advance." Kang expressed his disappointment, saying, "Prices are quite high these days, but politicians seem to only care about their political interests," and hoped, "I wish they would work to make our society more fair."

On the 10th, voters continue to visit the polling station installed at Hyehwa-dong Community Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Lee Ji-eun]

Voters in their 20s who came alone to the polling stations hoped for more attention to youth welfare. Kim Seo-yeon (21) said, "Solving the price issue seems to be the most urgent," but also expressed, "I hope politicians will focus on job issues and welfare for young people." Jeon Seo-hyun (22), a university student, said, "The dormitory at my current school is too small," and added, "I hope they pay attention to solving housing problems for young people."

There were also many who visited the polling stations before going on outings. Park Kyung-ja (57), who came to the Sadang 1-dong 3rd polling station in Dongjak-gu carrying a sun cap and a mat, said, "I stopped by the polling station before going to the Gunpo Azalea Festival with my friends," and added, "I took the time because I hope politicians stop fighting and make South Korea a better place to live."

Voters met here also cited price stabilization as the top priority. Choi Kyung-soo (43), who runs a small business, said, "Gas bills, electricity bills, and food ingredient prices have all gone up, so there is nothing left even after selling food," and added, "I hope those elected this time will work hard to stabilize prices." Housewife Lee Eun-young (36), who came to the polling station holding the hands of her husband and 4-year-old child, said, "I recently went to buy pork belly at the supermarket and realized the high prices again," and urged, "I hope the political world will work hard to restore people’s livelihoods and stabilize prices as much as I took the time to vote today."

On the 10th, an elderly person is being assisted as they enter the polling station installed at Sadang Senior Welfare Center in Dongjak-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Lee Seo-hee]

There were also elderly voters who, despite physical difficulties due to old age, came to the polling stations to cast their precious votes. Kim Sung-kyu (84), who came holding his wife’s hand tightly, said, "Even though it is difficult to move around, I left home thinking that as a citizen of South Korea, I must vote." His wife, Yoo Soon-young (82), also said, "It has been difficult to even go to the nearby supermarket alone for several years due to mobility issues," but added, "Still, with the hope that the country will prosper, I walked more than 15 minutes with my husband to the polling station, which is only 5 minutes away." The elderly couple entered the polling station with the help of election observers and nearby citizens and finished voting with bright expressions.

Grandparents who came to the polling stations with their young grandchildren unanimously expressed their hope for a better South Korea. Jang Won-jin (66), who came to the Wangsimni 2-dong 2nd polling station in Seongdong-gu holding his grandson in his arms, said, "Although it’s not obvious on the outside, my grandson has to attend a special school, so it’s overwhelming, but I voted hoping politicians would help people like us through their actions," and added, "I wish for a comfortable country with a good environment."

Shim Oh-boon (65), who came to the polling station holding her grandson’s hand tightly, said, "I came out even though it was hard because if I don’t vote, politicians will run the country as they please," and smiled, saying, "I also showed my grandson how to vote and told him to participate like this when there is a class president election at school later."