Koreans cast votes to elect new leader

An official at the National Election Commission, unseen, holds a voting stamp at a polling station in Seoul, Tuesday, a day before the 20th presidential election. Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

Korean voters head to the polls today to pick the country's new leader for the next five years.

In what is believed to be the closest presidential race in Korea's history, the final voter turnout is expected to surpass 80 percent for the first time in 25 years. The turnout from the two-day early voting ― Friday to Saturday ― hit a record high of 36.93 percent.

According to the National Election Commission (NEC), the total number of voters for the 20th presidential election is 44,197,692, including 226,162 who cast their ballots outside the country and 16,323,602 voters who filled in their ballots during the early voting.

For the early voting, the NEC set up 3,562 polling stations across the country, and the eventual number will increase to 14,464 on Wednesday. Ballots collected from each polling station will be delivered to 251 counting places after voting booths close.

The voting will begin at 6 a.m. and last until 6 p.m. for regular voters. Voting for COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine will start at 6 p.m. and they will be expected to appear at polling stations by 7:30 p.m. to cast their ballots.

The results of exit polls are anticipated to be available at 7:30 p.m. Local broadcasters KBS, MBC and SBS will announce the result of their joint exit poll, and cable network JTBC will also reveal its own exit poll after the end of voting.

Election workers install polling booths at Chonnam National University in Gwangju, Tuesday, a day before the 20th presidential election. Yonhap

Uncertainty clouds election

The process of voting for COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine poses uncertainties.

The early voting for COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine on Saturday ended in a nationwide controversy, due to the NEC's failure to anticipate the number of voters and the improper handling of their ballots. Early voting for coronavirus patients began at 5 p.m., but at some polling stations voters could only cast their ballots as late as 8:30 p.m.

The NEC does not have a tally on how many patients and those in quarantine participated in early voting.

Against this backdrop, it remains uncertain when the voting process will end and when the final result of the election will come out. As of Tuesday, the number of people undergoing self-treatment for COVID-19 at home stood at 1.16 million.

As the turnout for early voting sets a new high, the final turnout of the election is also anticipated to break the all-time record of 80.7 percent recorded in the 1997 presidential election. The turnout for the previous election in 2017 stood at 77.2 percent.

Wednesday's election is expected to be the closest race in the nation's history, with main opposition People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol having a slight lead over ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) candidate Lee Jae-myung, within the margin of error in surveys revealed March 3.

However, pundits say it remains unclear how the race is unfolding now, because the NEC prohibits polling agencies from announcing new survey results since March 4, and major events that can affect the election dynamics took place after the surveys.

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On March 3, No. 3 candidate Ahn Cheol-soo gave up his presidential bid to endorse Yoon, merging their candidacies in order to seek the unified support of conservative and center-right voters. The merger's impact, however, is uncertain because there are mixed responses over Ahn's abrupt resignation, which came after early voting from overseas voters.

Ruling Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung gestures during his canvassing in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, a day before the 20th presidential election. Joint Press Corps

Patching up disputes

This presidential election has been widely described as the worst election ever, with voters saying they will choose the "lesser of two evils." The rival candidates have staged mudslinging fights exposing scandals about each other throughout their campaigning, while doubts are still lingering as to whether each candidate can truly represent conservative and liberal sentiments.

Also, conflicts between different genders and age groups became election tools, as rival parties adopted policies and arguments instigating disputes between each side, overshadowing debates on more substantive issues.

Due to this, calls are growing that the most urgent task for the president-elect is to patch up the increasing polarization and seek unity among people to lay the groundwork for the country to focus on addressing social, economic and diplomatic issues.

The country's skyrocketing coronavirus caseload and compensation for small shop owners' losses due to COVID-19 restrictions remain at the top of the agenda regarding ongoing social concerns. In terms of diplomacy, U.S. President Joe Biden is anticipated to pay a visit to Seoul, putting the new President's diplomatic capabilities to test. Pyongyang's continued missile threats will also pose a conundrum for the winner.

Korea is showing signs of an economic rebound from the fallout of the pandemic, but rising consumer prices and inflation are weighing on the economy. Stabilizing home prices and protecting the country's industry from global supply chain disruptions are also key tasks for the new President.

Main opposition People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol, center, speaks during a canvassing in Yeonje District, Busan, Tuesday, a day before the 20th presidential election. Joint Press Corps

Final pitch

On Tuesday, rival candidates made their final appeal to voters, wrapping up their 22-days of canvassing.

DPK candidate Lee focused on canvassing in Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan regions. He started Tuesday's tour with a press conference at DPK's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and then moved to Paju and Gwangmyeong in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon.

Lee delivered a public speech in Gwanghwamun in the evening, where the candlelight rallies took place to protest former President Park five years ago, and wrap up his campaign with a late night public speech in Hongdae, Mapo District.

"I am standing here at a crucial time of deciding whether Korea will move forward to the future or take steps backward to the past," Lee said in the press conference. "I will prove how valuable each ballot is and how the president can make difference. … Between capable and incapable candidates, who would you like to start the first day of this new era?"

The PPP's Yoon started his last day of campaigning by visiting Jeju Island, and moved up northward, stopping by Busan, Daegu and Daejeon.

He arrived in Seoul for a speech at Seoul Plaza, Jung District, at 8:30 p.m., then move to Konkuk University Station in Gwangjin District and then Gangnam Station in Gangnam District for additional canvassing.

"Vote tomorrow for new change," Yoon said during his public speech in Jeju. "I don't know about the grammar of politics, but I have been running in this race for months only to address debts to the public. Please give me the chance to finish first and make desirable changes for the country."

Minor progressive Justice Party candidate Sim Sang-jung spent her last day of the campaign canvassing near universities in Seoul in a bid to appeal to young voters.

Starting from meeting citizens in Nowon District in the morning, she spoke at rallies near Korea University and Hanyang University. Sim is scheduled to finish her campaign with public speeches in the Hongdae area of Mapo District.

"I am the only candidate surviving between the big major parties," Sim said during a radio interview on Tuesday. "Exercising your right based on your conviction will change your life."