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.

South Korea's June 3 election race is heating up, with opinion polls hinting at closer-than-expected races in many key battlegrounds eyed by the ruling Democrat

Over 3,500 polling stations nationwide open Friday as the two-day early voting period for the June 3 election begins. Any of the 44.64 million eligible voters,

President Lee Jae Myung and key figures from the ruling and opposition parties cast their ballots on Friday, the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections.

Voter turnout reached 11.6 percent on Friday, the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections, marking a record high for the opening day.