"Voting Until My Last Breath" and "For People's Livelihoods"
From a 109-Year-Old Grandmother to Those in Their Twenties
Gwangju Citizens Show Passion for the Presidential Election
"I hope the president I voted for will make Gwangju the best city."
On the morning of the 3rd, at the second polling station in Gyelim 1-dong, Donggu, Gwangju (Gyelim Senior Center), Kim Jeongja (109), the oldest voter in Donggu, entered the polling station with the support of her daughter, Lee Jongsun (60). Using a cane, Kim completed her vote with the help of an election official and her daughter. Those around her offered encouragement, saying, "You are still healthy," and "Please make sure to vote in the next election as well."
On the morning of the 3rd, the voting day for the 21st presidential election, Kim Jeongja (109), the oldest voter in Donggu, Gwangju, cast her vote at the second polling station in Gyelim 1-dong, Donggu (Gyelim Senior Center) with the help of her daughter Lee Jongsun (60). Photo by Min Chanki
Her daughter, Lee, said, "My mother considers voting to be extremely important," adding, "She pulled me out by the hand from early in the morning. She always says that every citizen must vote." Kim said, "I voted for the person who I believe will make Gwangju the most livable city," and added, "I hope everyone takes an interest in voting so that young people can enjoy a better life." She continued, "I will make sure to participate in every election until I go to heaven," and emphasized, "Every vote is precious. I hope everyone who can vote will do so."
On the morning of the 3rd, the voting day for the 21st presidential election, Kim Chunsim (78) is voting with crutches in both hands at the polling station in the Dongrim-dong Municipal Welfare Center for the Disabled, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Min Chanki
Around the same time, at the Dongrim-dong Municipal Welfare Center for the Disabled, which serves as the second polling station in Dongrim-dong, Buk-gu, Kim Chunsim (78) appeared with crutches in both hands. A few days earlier, she had injured her hip after falling out of bed, but she said, "I thought voting was more important," and postponed her hospital appointment. Kim, who came to the polling station with her husband, said, "Politics has always been a topic of interest for me," and added, "I read the policies carefully and chose the candidate who seemed most likely to help society progress."
That same morning, at the second polling station in Geumho 1-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju, citizens continued to arrive to cast their votes. Before heading to work, voters adjusted their masks, took out their IDs one by one, and entered the polling station in turn. Inside the voting booth, after a brief moment of silence, a single vote was cast.
On the morning of the 3rd, citizens are lining up to vote in front of the 2nd polling station in Geumho 1-dong, Gwangju, where the 21st presidential election main vote is underway. Photo by Song Bohyun
Kim Miok (54), who works in the restaurant business, said, "I was deeply shocked when I witnessed the martial law situation. Since that day, I have suffered from insomnia, and my anger did not subside easily," adding, "After that, I attended every rally, and today I was determined to vote no matter what." She said, "Above all, I hope people's livelihoods will improve."
Go Jihyun (28), an office worker in her twenties, said, "I used to think politics had nothing to do with me, but these days, I have realized that politics can become a source of everyday stress," adding, "With the feeling that I can no longer turn away, I came to the polling station for the first time."
On the same day, voters are inserting their ballots into the ballot box after completing their voting inside the second polling station in Geumho 1-dong, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun
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