Abu Dhabi: Korean voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in the country's 21st presidential election, with the main contest between Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the liberal Democratic Party, and Kim Moon-soo, the candidate of the conservative People Power Party. The vote comes exactly six months after former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a surprise move that led to his departure from office. The new president will take office immediately without a transition period.
According to Emirates News Agency, voter turnout for Korea's presidential election has surpassed the 60 percent mark, seven hours after voting began earlier Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency reported, citing the election watchdog, a figure that includes results from the early voting. Of the total 44.39 million eligible voters nationwide, 27.56 million had cast their ballots as of 1 pm, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). Voting began at 6 am at 14,295 polling stations across the country.