Record Turnout in South Korean Elections Marred by Ballot Shortages

South Korea's ninth simultaneous local elections and National Assembly by-elections saw a robust voter turnout, surpassing 60% by 7:20 PM, making it the second-highest rate in the nation's history. This figure already exceeds the final turnout of the previous local elections held four years ago. The high engagement reflects a significant public interest in the electoral process.

The surge in participation, however, created logistical challenges. Several polling stations, particularly in areas like Songpa District in Seoul, experienced ballot shortages due to the unexpectedly high number of voters. This led to situations where citizens had to wait past the official closing time to cast their ballots, casting a shadow over the otherwise successful election day.

According to the National Election Commission, as of 5 PM, 25.61 million out of 44.64 million eligible voters had participated, resulting in a 57.4% turnout. By 7:20 PM, this number climbed to 27.05 million voters, or 60.6%. The day's turnout consistently outpaced that of the previous local elections at every hour, indicating a strong democratic engagement across the country.