'COVID-19 cannot stop us from voting'

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots in the National Assembly general election at a polling station in Seoul's Songpa District, Wednesday. / Yonhap

By Lee Hyo-sik, Jun Ji-hye

Many people turned out to vote for a new National Assembly, Wednesday, although they were asked to comply with strict quarantine guidelines at polling stations to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19. The country's general election was the world's first nationwide election during the pandemic.

A 34-year-old businessman who lives in Seoul's Jungnang District said, “I was concerned about COVID-19, but I did not even think about giving up my right to vote as I wanted to vote for a new Assembly member who will truly work hard for this country.”

All voters were asked to wear face masks, sanitize their hands and wear plastic gloves at the polling stations.

The election authorities put green or white tape on the floor to mark a 1-meter distance, advising voters to maintain a safe social distance from each other while waiting in line.

Voters were asked to take off their masks only when the authorities checked their identities before ballot papers were handed out.

A 37-year-old office worker who lives in Seoul's Gangnam District said she was surprised to see a lot more people than she expected at the polling station.

“Korea has faced many difficulties since the outbreak of COVID-19, but at the time, the country's response to the virus has set an example to the world. I hope the new Assembly members will continue to work to elevate the national status,” she said.

A 48-year-old salary worker living in Dongjak District in Seoul said he supported a ruling party candidate, claiming the nation could backpedal if the main opposition party takes the control of the Assembly.

“If the opposition party wins the general election, it will block the passage of supplementary budget bills aimed at helping businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus pandemic,” said a public relations manager at a coffee franchise. “I believe people should vote for the ruling party so that the government can do a better job in responding to the pandemic.”

During the two-day early voting on Friday and Saturday, a larger-than-expected number of people cast their ballots despite the pandemic, with voter turnout reaching a record 26.69 percent, according to the National Election Commission.

A 49-year-old man who resides in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, said he voted on the second day of the early voting as he was concerned about going to the polling station when it was packed with many people.

“I cast a ballot based on a candidate rather than a party. I voted for a younger candidate over his older rival who was a former city mayor,” said a producer at one of Korea's three largest terrestrial broadcasters. “The general election serves as a referendum for the ruling party and the administration. I believe people should send a warning to the President and his people, who have done a poor job.”

A 50-year old voter who resides in Songdo, Incheon, who voted in the first day of the early voting, said he voted for a ruling party candidate because the party needs a majority in the Assembly to perform state affairs smoothly.

“I think the main opposition party is incapable of checking the ruling party and has lost public trust because of a series of disgraceful scandals,” the CEO of a mid-size cosmetics company said. “I would rather bet on the ruling party for its ability to take care of itself.”