President Lee and wife cast early votes in Samcheong-dong for Gyeyang-eul

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and his wife, Kim Hye-kyung, participated in the early voting for the 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections on May 29. The couple arrived at the Samcheong-dong Community Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul, around 11:55 a.m. to cast their ballots.

Their vote was for the Gyeyang-eul district, which is holding a special by-election for a National Assembly seat concurrently with the local elections. This is because Lee's presidential victory created a vacancy in his former parliamentary district. President Lee cast a total of eight ballots, reflecting the multiple elections taking place.

President Lee wore a gray tie, avoiding any specific party colors. Several aides, including Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and Policy Chief Kim Yong-beom, accompanied the presidential couple to the polling station. The early voting period, which spans two days, allows any citizen with identification to vote at any designated early voting station across the country.

The article also briefly touches upon other political and social issues in South Korea, including discussions on nuclear consultations with the U.S., potential resignations, investigations into a bridge collapse, and economic indicators.