Election-related information is displayed on an electronic board at the National Election Commission's situation room in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, South Korea, 26 May 2026, eight days ahead of the 03 June local elections. Photo by YONHAP / EPA
May 29 (Asia Today) -- Leaders of South Korea's rival political parties urged voters to cast ballots Friday, the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, but their strategies showed different approaches.
Chung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Han Byung-do, the party's floor leader, both voted on the first day of early voting. People Power Party leader Chang Dong-hyeok and floor leader Song Eon-seok divided their roles, with Chang choosing to vote on Election Day and Song planning to vote early.
Chung began his schedule Friday by casting an early ballot at the Seongsan 2-dong Community Service Center in Mapo District, Seoul. After voting, he attended a meeting of the party's central election committee in Seoul and urged voters to participate.
"Voting is stronger than bullets," Chung said. "Power does not come from the barrel of a gun. It comes from the polling place."
