South Koreans Vote for New Prez in Martial Law Aftermath

Of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 27.56 million had cast their ballots as of 1 p.m

- AGENCIES SEOUL, 3 JUNE

South Koreans voted on Tuesday to pick a new President, with a liberal candidate bent on punishing the forces responsible for former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law attempt against a conservative keen on stopping the recklessness of his rival.

The election takes place exactly six months after Yoon declared martial law in a surprise announcement that evoked dark memories of past military regimes and plunged the nation into the worst economic and political crisis in decades.

Of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 27.56 million had cast their ballots as of 1 p.m, seven hours after voting began at 14,295 polling stations across the country, according to the National Election Commission (NEC).

The provisional tally includes the votes cast in early voting, as well as overseas, shipboard and absentee ballots.