June 3 Presidential Election Early Voting Rate at 3 p.m. Hits 29.97%...Lower Than Previous Election Due to 'Weekday Effect'

Down 0.77 Percentage Points from the 20th Presidential Election
Weekday Voting Results in Lower Turnout than Previous Election
13.3 Million Participate in Early Voting Nationwide

As of 3:00 p.m. on May 30, the last day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, the national average early voting rate stood at 29.97%.

According to the National Election Commission, as of 3:00 p.m. on this day, 13,302,330 out of 44,391,871 eligible voters nationwide had participated in early voting.

The national average early voting rate of 29.97% is 0.77 percentage points lower than the 30.74% recorded at the same time during the 20th presidential election. Unlike the previous election, which included a weekend (Saturday), this early voting period fell on Thursday and Friday, which are weekdays, and this is believed to have resulted in a lower turnout compared to the previous election. Until the morning of this day, the turnout had actually been higher than that of the previous election.

On the last day of early voting for the 21st presidential election, May 30, university students who visited the early voting station in Sinchon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, near Yonsei University and Ewha Womans University, are verifying their votes after casting them. 2025.5.30. Photo by Kang Jinhyung

By region, Jeonnam recorded the highest turnout at 50.58%. Jeonbuk followed with 47.26%, and Gwangju with 46.08%, showing overwhelmingly high participation in the Honam region.

In the Seoul metropolitan area, Seoul recorded 29.38%, Gyeonggi 28.23%, and Incheon 28.21%, all below the national average. In the Yeongnam region, Gyeongbuk recorded 27.03%, Gyeongnam 27.04%, Busan 26.12%, Daegu 21.67%, and Ulsan 27.10%, indicating generally low turnout. Jeju recorded 30.67%.

The early voting, which began on May 29, is being held at 3,568 early voting stations nationwide until 6:00 p.m. on this day. Voters are required to bring identification to participate. The 21st presidential election is an early election following the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol, and the main election will be held on June 3.