South Koreans vote amid turmoil

SOUTH Koreans turned out in force to vote in the presidential election yesterday, as millions of people sought to restore stability after six months of turmoil triggered by a shock martial law briefly imposed by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol.

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The new president will face the challenge of rallying a society deeply scarred by the attempt at military rule and an export-heavy economy reeling from unpredictable protectionist moves by the US, a major trading partner and a security ally.

As of 3pm, 30.5 million people, or nearly 69% of the electorate, had voted at 14295 locations, according to the National Election Commission, with car dealerships, gyms and fields for traditional Korean wrestling known as ssireum turned into polling stations.

“I hope the issues surrounding martial law are addressed more clearly and transparently,’ said 40-year-old Seoul resident Kim Yong-Hyun.

“There are still many things that don’t make sense, and Id like to see them properly resolved”

Turnout in the snap election was running slightly ahead of the 2022 presidential vote at the same time, with polls set to remain open until 8pm (1100 GMT) and following early voting when more than a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballots.

“Only six golden hours are left to save South Korea which is in crisis due to the greed of the establishment,” liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung said as he urged people to vote in a Facebook post.