Did Former Presidents Park and Moon Participate in Early Voting?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Former Presidents Park and Moon participated in early voting.
- The election is a response to the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's controversies.
- Voter turnout is critical, as highlighted by both presidents.
- The latest polls show Lee Jae-myung leading.
- The next president's term begins immediately post-election.
Seoul, May 29 (NationPress) Former South Korean Presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in participated in early voting on Thursday for the upcoming presidential election, calling upon citizens to exercise their right to vote and select the country's next leader.
Moon submitted his ballot at a polling station in Yangsan, located approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, marking the inaugural day of the two-day early voting period for the June 3 election, necessitated by the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol due to a failed martial law attempt.
“I hope the public remembers the reasons behind this early election,” Moon stated after voting alongside former first lady Kim Jung-sook. “This is an opportunity for the populace to evaluate the complete failure of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and its insurrection.”
“We must hold them accountable with decisive judgment,” he added.
Former President Park Geun-hye also cast her vote at a polling station in Daegu, around 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, encouraging citizens to participate, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
“Many are anxious about early voting,” she told the press after submitting her ballot. “For those unable to vote on election day, shouldn’t they actively engage in early voting to boost turnout? ... Please make your voices heard by casting your ballots.”
Her remarks seemed aimed at alleviating concerns regarding electoral fraud raised by certain conservative factions.
Park was ousted from her position in 2017 following her impeachment over a prior corruption scandal, which led to a snap election that her successor, Moon, won as the Democratic Party candidate.
The latest survey concerning the presidential election, released on Wednesday, revealed that Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung is currently leading with 49.2%, followed by Kim Moon-soo from the People Power Party at 36.8%. Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party is in third place with 10.3% support.
The newly elected president will commence their five-year term immediately following the election.