"From Age 20 to 100"... Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Rank 1st and 3rd Nationwide in Early Voting Turnout

Jeollanam-do Records 34.96%, Gwangju 32.10% on First Day of Early Voting
Long Lines of Voters Even Before Polls Open, Marked by Excitement and Nerves
"Presidential Election Held Amid Martial Law and Impeachment" ... High Voter Turnout
Disappointment in Lee Nakyon, Voting Before Work, and Other Motivations Revealed

On May 29, the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, the enthusiasm for voting spread across Gwangju and Jeollanam-do from early in the morning. Voters included a citizen over 100 years old, a university student nervous about casting a ballot for the first time, residents voting out of discontent toward a particular politician, and campaigners encouraging people to vote on the streets. While each voter participated for different reasons and in their own way, they all shared a sense of the gravity of this presidential election.

On the morning of the first day of early voting for the 21st presidential election on the 29th, 101-year-old grandmother Kim Insun is entering the polling station at Jinwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju, supported by her daughter-in-law Lee Myungja, 68. Photo by Min Chanki

At the Jinwol-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Nam-gu, Gwangju, 101-year-old Kim Insun visited the early voting station, supported by her daughter-in-law. Kim, who said she has never missed an election in over 30 years, stated, "I don't know much about the political situation, but I voted hoping that a president who will lead the country well will be elected." There was a minor incident when she forgot her ID and her daughter-in-law had to rush home to retrieve it, but with the help of election staff, she was able to cast her vote properly.

At the early voting station set up at Yongji Hall, Chonnam National University in Buk-gu, Gwangju, voters of various ages gathered from early morning. Lee Chanhyuk, a 20-year-old university student, said, "It was both exciting and nerve-wracking to vote in a presidential election for the first time." A 77-year-old voter commented, "I couldn't sleep the night before. When it comes to national affairs, I must participate." Election staff checked procedures with tense expressions and frequently adjusted the floor guidance lines.

Voters are verifying their identities at the early voting station. ID verification and ballot issuance are conducted simultaneously. Photo by Song Bohyun

In Hongnong-eup, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, public sentiment revealed that, unlike the region's traditionally conservative atmosphere, discontent toward Lee Nakyon, senior advisor to the New Future Democratic Party, became a motivation for voting. Kim Younghyun, a 76-year-old voter, said, "I came out to vote because my disappointment with Lee Nakyon has grown so much. I even hesitate to mention his name." Jeon Yeonsoon, aged 92, stated, "He is a local figure, but I think he made the wrong choice. That's why I decided to vote." People with disabilities affiliated with a welfare organization also visited the polling station as a group to cast their ballots.

At the Nongomin Culture and Sports Center in Wando-eup, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do, voters were already lining up before the polls opened. An office worker in his 30s said, "I left home 30 minutes early to vote before work. I've never seen so many people gather here before. I could really sense the interest in this presidential election." A voter currently serving in the military commented, "I wanted to participate because this election will determine the country's future." A voter in his 50s who had lost his resident registration card said, "I received a certificate of issuance at the township office and was able to vote. This election is closely related to my life, so I definitely wanted to participate."

On the 29th, local residents visited the early voting station in Hongnong-eup, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, to cast their precious votes. Photo by Shim Jinseok

As of 6 p.m. on this day, the nationwide average early voting rate for the 21st presidential election was tallied at 19.58%. Jeollanam-do ranked first nationwide with 34.96%, and Gwangju recorded the third highest rate in the country at 32.10%. Among Gwangju's districts, Nam-gu had the highest rate at 34.66%, while in Jeollanam-do, Sinan-gun led with 44.14%.

This early voting turnout is higher than that of the 20th presidential election. Analysts believe this reflects the high level of voter engagement, given that this election is being held under martial law and following impeachment.