"First-Ever Vote"... Gwangju High School Student Voters Cast Their First Ballots

Participation in Early Voting by High School Council and Student Council Presidents
Superintendent Lee Jungseon: "Joining Students in Their First Steps Toward Democracy"

Lee Jungseon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, is casting a ballot together with Ha Yuseong, vice president of the student council at Gwangdeok High School, who is a first-time voter, at the polling station set up at Hwajeong 2-dong Administrative Welfare Center on the 29th. Provided by Gwangju Office of Education

To mark the 21st presidential election, high school students in Gwangju who have gained suffrage for the first time this year have completed their first-ever vote.

On the morning of the 29th, Choi Jangwoo, chairman of the Gwangju High School Council (third-year student at Gwangju Seoseok High School), Ha Yuseong, vice president at Gwangdeok High School (third-year), Noh Myungseon, president of the student council at Gwangju Girls' High School (third-year), and Kim Jiyeon (third-year at Gwangju Girls' High School) visited the Hwajeong 2-dong Administrative Welfare Center in Seo-gu to participate in early voting. All of them are 18-year-old voters who have obtained the right to vote for the first time this year.

Lee Jungseon, Superintendent of Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education, was also present at the site. Superintendent Lee explained the voting procedures and the significance of exercising one's sovereignty to the students and accompanied them to the polling station.

Gwangju Superintendent of Education Lee Jungseon is taking a commemorative photo after voting with Ha Yuseong, vice president of the student council at Gwangdeok High School and a first-time voter (first from the left), Choi Jangwoo, chairman of the Gwangju High School Council, Noh Myungseon, president of the student council at Gwangju Girls' High School, and Kim Jiyeon, a student at Gwangju Girls' High School, at the polling station set up at Hwajeong 2-dong Administrative Welfare Center on the 29th. Provided by Gwangju Office of Education.

Choi Jangwoo said, "This was my first vote ever, and since it is an election for the future of Korea, I approached it with even greater care," adding, "As the chairman of the High School Council who practices the rights of a democratic citizen, I wanted to set an example."

Ha Yuseong said, "At first, it didn't feel real, but once I entered the polling station, I felt a sense of responsibility," and added, "Thinking that my single vote is connected to the future of the country made it all the more meaningful."

Noh Myungseon said, "It was an honor to cast my first vote together with the Superintendent," and continued, "I felt a great sense of responsibility, knowing that a single decision can have an impact on society." Kim Jiyeon also said, "It feels unfamiliar but exciting to move from being an observer to a direct participant," and added, "I want to continue to stay interested in politics and society."

Superintendent Lee said, "The time spent with students casting their first votes in life was very meaningful," and added, "The Office of Education will also support Gwangju's new voters so that they can take their first steps in democracy successfully."

On the 27th, the Gwangju Office of Education sent official notices to schools at all levels, providing information on the schedule for early and main voting, required items, and encouragement posters, to help student voters participate smoothly.

The Gwangju High School Student Council is running a social media relay campaign under the slogan "First Vote in Life, Supported by the High School Council," encouraging high school student voters to participate.