Political figures cast their votes as Election Day begins

A string of political figures showed up to the polls on Wednesday morning as voting for the 22nd National Assembly commenced.

Former President Lee Myung-bak casts his vote at a polling site in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Wednesday morning. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

A string of political figures showed up to the polls on Wednesday morning as voting for the 22nd National Assembly commenced.

Former President Lee Myung-bak exercised his electoral right at a polling site in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, accompanied by his wife, Kim Yoon-ok. Dressed in a black suit, Lee said he hoped that voters would make "wise choices" amid an unstable state of affairs.

He remarked on the state of Korean politics, criticizing its over-ideological nature despite the nation's developmental strides.

Former President Park Geun-hye casts her ballot at a polling station at an elementary school in Dalseong County, Daegu, Wednesday morning.

Former President Park Geun-hye cast her vote at a polling station in Daegu. She was joined by People Power Party (PPP) candidate Yoo Young-ha, running for Daegu's Dalseo-A district, along with a bodyguard. While encouraging the public to vote, Park refrained from answering any other questions from the reporters.

Roh Tae-ak, head of the National Election Commission, casts his ballot at a polling station at an elementary school in Bangbaebon-dong in Seocho District, southern Seoul, Wednesday morning. [NEWS1]

Roh Tae-ak, the head of the National Election Commission (NEC), cast his vote at a polling site in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday morning. Roh urged voters to fulfill their civic duty and assured that the commission had meticulously prepared to ensure accurate voting and tallying processes.

Kwon Yang-sook, widow of late President Roh Moo-hyun, casts her vote at a polling site in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, Wednesday morning. [YONHAP]

Former first lady Kwon Yang-sook, widow of late President Roh Moo-hyun, cast her ballot at a polling site in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang. Advocating for active participation in the voting, Kwon briefly expressed her hope for the success of her son-in-law, Kwak Sang-eon, who is running for the Jongno District in central Seoul.

First lady Kim Keon Hee in March 2022 casts her ballot at a polling station in southern Seoul for the 2022 presidential election. [YONHAP]

Meanwhile, first lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been absent from public appearances for four months, cast her vote during the early voting period on Friday, according to the presidential office. Her voting was conducted in privacy, which is seen as an unusual move for a first lady. The office said that Kim voted at a polling site near the presidential office in Yongsan, central Seoul.

Kim has been out of public view since mid-December when she accompanied President Yoon Suk Yeol on a state visit to the Netherlands. She has been keeping a low profile after the Dior bag scandal came to light.

Many political heavyweights, including President Yoon Suk Yeol, already cast their ballots during the two-day early voting on Friday and Saturday last week.

Yoon voted at a polling station at a welfare center in Busan’s Gangseo District during his visit to the port city on Friday, the first day of early voting.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other members of the Cabinet voted early on Friday.

Likewise, leaders of the conservative People Power Party, liberal Democratic Party, Rebuilding Korea Party, Saemirae Party and Reform Party all cast their votes Friday.

Heads of local governments, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon, also voted on the first day of early voting.

More than 13 million, or 31 percent of the population, cast their ballots over the two days of early voting, hitting a record-high figure for a general election.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]