Official presidential election ballot. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, May 28 (Korea Bizwire) — With just two days to go before early voting begins for South Korea’s 21st presidential election, a surge of enthusiasm among young voters is taking center stage — from university students and first-time voters to expatriates flying across continents to cast their ballots.
Driven by a deep sense of political responsibility and frustration with the current political climate, voters in their 20s and 30s are preparing to turn out in force. Many are adjusting travel schedules, foregoing vacations, or navigating work constraints to make sure their votes are counted.
“I plan to be the first in line to vote at 6 a.m.,” said 29-year-old office worker Park, who expressed anticipation for the election. Meanwhile, 25-year-old student Lim criticized the current political landscape as dominated by “hatred and division,” emphasizing a desire to vote for change.
Overseas participation has also been remarkable. Lee Byung-yoon, a 28-year-old graduate student in the U.S., moved up his return flight to Korea to vote in person. “I’ve witnessed my country’s president become a punchline abroad — never again,” he said. In Malta, where there’s no Korean embassy, 26-year-old Yoon flew to Italy to cast her vote.
Even those unable to vote early are planning around work schedules or holidays. Office worker Lee Jung-yeon, 31, canceled her vacation to vote on election day, calling it “too important to miss.” University students like Kim Jun-young, 22, are squeezing in early voting between classes. “If we don’t vote, we risk being ignored by politicians entirely,” he said.
The image of the voting stamp that will be used to cast a precious ballot as a sovereign citizen. (Yonhap)
Teenagers voting for the first time are also expressing excitement. “I’m nervous but proud,” said 19-year-old Park Kang-hyuk, who plans to vote during the early window to avoid crowds on election day.
Meanwhile, a creative trend is sweeping social media: customized “voting stamp sheets,” designed with illustrations and characters, are being printed and stamped by voters as a playful — but serious — form of participation.
Although photographing actual ballots inside polling stations is prohibited by law, voters are sharing these personalized mementos online as a fresh alternative to traditional ink-on-hand photos.
The National Election Commission clarified that stamping outside materials is allowed, as long as no photography takes place within polling booths.
Despite widespread disillusionment over recent presidential debates, which many described as dominated by negativity and personal attacks, young voters remain determined. “This election is our moment to speak,” said Lee Yu-jung, 33. Another voter, Lee Woo-rin, 25, called it “the only way to express my political beliefs with conviction.”
As early voting nears, South Korea’s youth are proving that, despite cynicism, their commitment to democracy remains unwavering — and their voices, too important to ignore.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
