President participates in early voting for local elections
President Moon Jae-in and first lady Kim Jung-sook participate in early voting for the June 13 local elections at a polling station in Samcheong-dong community center, Friday. This is the first time for an incumbent president to take part in early voting after the system was introduced in 2013. Moon did so to encourage voter participation. / Joint press corps
By Kim Rahn
President Moon Jae-in cast his ballot for the June 13 local elections in early voting, Friday, as part of efforts to encourage voter participation.
This was the first time for an incumbent president to take part in early voting after the system was introduced in 2013.
Moon and first lady Kim Jung-sook visited the Samcheong-dong community center, the nearest polling station to Cheong Wa Dae, at around 8:45 a.m.
All senior presidential secretaries accompanied the first couple to cast their ballots, including chief of staff Im Jong-seok, chief of staff for policy Jang Ha-sung and National Security Office head Chung Eui-yong.
The presidential office said Moon's early voting was aimed at encouraging more voters to participate in the election, because a high voter turnout in early voting usually results in a high overall turnout.
It dismissed speculations that Moon was preparing to join U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's June 12 summit in Singapore.
After the voting, Moon talked with members of a group advocating the rights of the disabled who were staging a demonstration in front of the community center.
They asked Moon to help revise election-related laws so physically or mentally challenged people could exercise their right to vote more easily. They demanded all polling stations have elevators as well as people who use sign language for those who are hearing impaired. They also claimed ballots and leaflets introducing candidates should also become “disabled-friendly.”
Besides Moon and the presidential staff, many politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the candidates, also cast their ballots Friday to boost public attention to the local elections.
The early voting is held through Saturday. Those who cannot vote on election day can visit any polling station across the nation with their I.D. cards between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.
In April 2016, former President Park Geun-hye considered participating in an early voting to increase public attention to the general election at the time, but cancelled the plan after concluding it could cause an unnecessary political dispute.