PHOTOS April 15 election

Material promoting the April 15 parliamentary elections hangs over Cheonggyecheon stream in central Seoul, Monday. The elections will select 300 lawmakers, representing the 21st National Assembly. They will wield a great influence on the course of President Moon Jae-in's key policies during his remaining two years in office. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A makeshift gate is set up with a message that reads “Your vote, your voice.” Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

South Korea's election watchdog said Monday it has decided to stop the absentee ballot process for next month's general election for citizens living in more countries and territories due to the coronavirus pandemic. The National Election Commission said the process will be suspended at 41 more diplomatic missions around the globe, meaning eligible South Korean voters cannot cast absentee ballots for the April 15 elections. The decision will raise the number of affected missions to 65 in 40 countries, including the United States. The number of affected voters is estimated at 80,500, which accounts for 47 percent of eligible overseas voters. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul