elect Voters Hope for Reviving Economy
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Koreans began to cast their ballots in a presidential election from 6 a.m. at 13,178 polling stations nationwide to select a person who could truly dedicate himself to the country.
At Chungmu Church in Daechi-dong, southern Seoul, tens of people lined up to vote. Though people did not directly mention their favorite candidate, some hinted at their choices.
Fifty-three-year-old Kim Jae-chul said he was confident that his candidate of choice would win the election. ``I bet all Gangnam residents will come out to vote for him. I have been waiting for this moment for the past five years. Now it is time for us to make a change.''
``I voted for a candidate who showed vision, not one who tried to damage others,'' 46 year-old Kim In-ae said. ``The BBK allegation gave me a headache but it clearly helped me choose whom ― the person who is not shaken by political scheming,'' she added.
Some people worried that their candidate would not win but said they chose because it was the only way to show the people's interests. ``I chose a minor candidate, but I hope he will be encouraged by my vote,'' said Chung Mi-sun, a 28-year-old graduate school student in Hwigyeong-dong, northern Seoul.
``The right to vote is an obligation as well as a right. I had to think really carefully because none looked attractive, but I stuck to my belief and chose someone less popular but who fits to my vision,'' Park Hye-jung, a resident in Jongno, downtown Seoul, said.
The voter turnout was the lowest ever, but the polling stations were full of solemnity and enthusiasm.
``I am very glad to throw my first ever vote to a person I favor. I hope he will win and show me a blueprint for the future,'' Park Min-hee in Gwangju said. Park was one of the 623,129 19-year-olds who have been newly designated as voters.
Residents in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, where an oil spill at sea blanketed beaches and tidal wetlands, went to vote early in the morning before continuing with clean up operations. According to the election commission, Taean marked a high participation rate.
Residents said they were looking for someone who could revive the regional economy. Volunteers from around the country also participated in the clean up after voting in their resident areas.
Celebrities also joined the queue to pick their candidates. Pitchers Park Chan-ho and Seo Jae-weong voted at Gongju, South Chungcheong Province and Gwangju, respectively. Park, who showed up early in the morning, previously said he would like to vote for someone ``who can help develop baseball and other sports.''
Actress Moon Geun-young, Han Ye-seul and other entertainers were also spotted at polling stations. ``I am very glad to pick a president. It makes me feel like a true Korean,'' said Han who U.S. citizenship until recently.
Actor Song Il-guk, Singer Kim Jang-hoon and Yoonha were also seen encouraging others to join the queue, too.
It wasn't only South Koreans who participated in the voting ― Seven students at Hankyoreh School, a school for North Korean defector's children, also received their right to vote.
``This is their first time to experience a South Korean election and they seemed pretty excited,'' a teacher at the school said.
There were also several incidents ― a woman in her 70s argued with overseers at Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, claiming she had voted for the wrong person. They had to tell her repeatedly that only one voting paper was given per person. And a 54-year-old in Busan named Lee collapsed and died checking his name on the voters list.