Polling booths full of wishes
Voters participate in early voting for the 19th presidential election, Thursday, at Seoul Station./ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Two voters cast their ballots in advance at Seoul Station, Thursday./ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By You Soo-sun
Voters cast their ballots Friday, wishing with their votes to choose a leader who can change politics, bolster national security, create jobs and lead South Korea to become a more democratic nation.
Voters packed a polling station at Seoul Station, lining up to cast their ballots with suitcases by their side. Many came with their children to vote before going off to celebrate Children’s Day.
People who voted for frontrunner Moon Jae-in of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) voiced the need for a change of leadership.
Kang Myoung-shin, a 28-year-old female graduate student, said, “I voted for Moon because it’s time for a regime change. I didn’t vote for the best, but the most likely candidate to achieve this goal.”
Kang said while watching the debates, she tried to opt out candidates who weren’t fully knowledgeable about their own policies. “Also, I searched for a leader with the right mindset, someone who isn’t focused on merely putting down other candidates,” she said.
One family voted for Moon altogether at a community center in Hoehyeon-dong, Seoul.
Hong Kyoung-soon, 58, said she participated in all 23 candlelit rallies that took place at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, protesting the Sewol tragedy and former president Park Geun-hye’s corruption scandal.
“My family voted for Moon, hoping we get a new administration to govern the nation. The previous administration failed miserably, so there should be no going back.”
When asked what she wants from Korea’s next president, she said, “Unity.”
She said Moon, if elected, should collaborate with rival parties, except for the ultra right-wing politicians, maybe even with Hong Joon-pyo of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP).
“People involved in the Park corruption scandal should be punished, but the next leader should bring unity to the country. We just want to live peacefully. Politicians should work together, not fight.”
Many voters also cast ballots for Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party.
Kim, a female voter in her 50s from Busan, a traditionally conservative region, voted for Ahn because he is fairly new in politics, setting him apart from other candidates.
“He’s different from other politicians. As a relative newcomer in politics, he is able to break out from the old frame and bring real change.”
Gazing at her son, she added, “He also tries to communicate with young people in the country. I really think he can turn Korea into a new, young country.” Her son, standing next to her, nodded along with her comments.
Park Joo-yeon, a 20-year-old college student from Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, voted for Ahn because of his education policies.
“His thoughts on the Korean education system mirror my own. The current education system encourages competition rather than cooperation, putting too much pressure on students.”
Park graduated from high school just last year. She said, “It was really tough. I think Ahn is the one to fix this problem.”
There were also many fervent supporters of Hong, mostly older men.
Jung Byoung-guk, a 51-year-old male, voted for Hong for his campaign pledges.
“I voted for Hong because he promised to work for the ordinary people like me,” he said, “someone who doesn’t tell lies.”
One senior, standing next to the voting booth where hundreds of people were lined up, yelled, “Vote for Hong Joon-pyo!”
Many of Hong’s voters see him as a “strongman,” one to draw a firm line against North Korea.
A 22-year-old college student from Daegu and a 24-year-old college student from Jeju Island both voted for Hong. They put national security as their top priority.
The televised debates among the presidential candidates seemed to be a major determinant for many of the voters interviewed.
Kim Yeong-hee, 24, who watched all five debates, voted for Yoo Seung-min of the conservative Bareun Party.
“Yoo seemed to be the most competent candidate. He’s an eloquent speaker, very persuasive.”
She also considered feasibility of policies the candidates rolled out: “I’m preparing for the civil service exam, so Moon’s pledge to create new public jobs was most appealing. But I didn’t see it as a plausible scenario ― I voted for Yoo instead.”
The writer is an intern of The Korea Times