Many South Koreans headed to the polls on Friday for two days of early voting ahead of the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, viewed as a referendum on President Lee Jae Myung's first year in office.
Voting took place at 3,571 polling stations nationwide from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Turnout reached 11.6 percent by 6 p.m., higher than the 10.18 percent recorded at the same point in 2022.
President Lee Jae Myung and first lady Kim Hea Kyung cast ballots at the Samcheong neighborhood community center near Cheong Wa Dae. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok voted in western Seoul.
The elections will fill 16 mayoral and gubernatorial posts, 227 local government chief positions, around 4,000 local council seats and 14 National Assembly seats. The Seoul mayoral race and a Busan by-election are drawing particular attention.
