South Korea: Early voting begins for May 9 presidential election

Event

South Koreans began early voting on Thursday, May 4, to choose a successor to ousted President Park Geun-hye. Early voters can cast their ballots May 4-6 at some 3510 polling stations across the country before election day, Tuesday, May 9. It is the first time early voting has been used in South Korean presidential elections, although it has been in place for parliamentary and mayoral elections in recent years. South Korea has more than 42 million eligible voters.

Context

Polling indicates that liberal candidate Moon Jae-in is comfortably ahead of his two main centrist and conservative rivals. The winner will be immediately sworn in as new president, forgoing the usual two-month transition period. Park's impeachment and subsequent removal from office in March 2017 entails the modification of presidential term dates, meaning the new president's five-year term will start from May 2017.

Advice

Individuals in South Korea are advised to avoid polling stations and political demonstrations as a precaution.