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Photo = Yonhap news |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Early voting for the 21st presidential election in South Korea began at 6 a.m. on May 29 at 3,568 polling stations nationwide. The two-day early voting period runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Eligible voters can cast their ballots at any early voting location, without prior registration. Polling station locations can be found on the website of the National Election Commission (NEC) or through major portal sites.
To vote, individuals must bring a valid photo ID issued by a government agency, such as a resident registration card, passport, or driver’s license. Digital IDs may also be used, provided the official app is used to verify photo, name, and date of birth. Image captures or screenshots are not accepted.
Voters must avoid taking photos of completed ballots or damaging the ballot, as such acts are subject to legal penalties. Sharing ballot images on social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, is strictly prohibited. However, photos taken outside the polling station showing voters with fingers indicating their chosen candidate are allowed.
Only one mark per candidate must be made using the official stamp provided at the polling booth. Any ballot marked with a pen or other tools, or ballots marked for more than one candidate, will be deemed invalid.
Voters are not allowed to disrupt voting or damage ballots inside polling stations. Any acts of violence or threats against election officials may lead to criminal charges, including imprisonment of one to ten years or a fine ranging from 5 million to 30 million KRW.
To maintain order, uniformed police officers have been deployed to each early voting station. This measure follows recent incidents of election posters and banners being vandalized, as well as reports of organized groups planning disruptive actions at polling sites.
AlphaBIZ Paul Lee(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
