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President, DP and PPP political heavyweights cast ballots during early voting

Published: 29 May. 2026, 18:59 Updated: 29 May. 2026, 19:58

President Lee Jae Myung, left, and first lady Kim Hea Kyung cast their ballots in the June 3 local elections at a community service center in Samcheong-dong in central Seoul on May 29, the first day of the early voting period. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

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.

President Lee voted at around noon at a polling station set up at a community service center in Samcheong-dong in central Seoul, near the presidential office, alongside first lady Kim Hea Kyung.

The president and first lady remain registered in Gyeyang District in Incheon, Lee's former constituency during his time as a lawmaker. As out-of-district voters, they cast ballots in the Incheon mayoral race, the Gyeyang District leader race and the by-election for the National Assembly seat representing Gyeyang-B.

Lee wore a gray necktie while voting. The presidential office said the color was chosen "in consideration of political neutrality."

Other political heavyweights also took part in early voting as they intensified efforts to mobilize supporters.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also cast his ballot at a community service center in Hannam-dong in central Seoul on the final day of his term and encouraged the public to take part in early voting.

"Korea's future and our hopes lie in elections," said Woo. "Voting is a powerful action."

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok cast an early ballot in Yeouido-dong in western Seoul.

"As this election is an important opportunity to make democracy part of everyday life, I hope everyone participates," Kim said. "The government will do its utmost to ensure there are no difficulties throughout the election process."

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), voted in Seongsan-dong in Mapo District, western Seoul, his constituency.

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party, votes in Seongsan-dong in Mapo District, western Seoul, on May 29. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

"Power comes from the polling station," Jung said. "If you vote, we win. I want to win in Seoul."

Chong Won-o, the DP's candidate for Seoul mayor, voted in Sogong-dong in central Seoul and also urged the public to participate in early voting.

"I ask that you take part in early voting and elect a new mayor, who will make safety the top priority," Chung said.

DP floor leader Han Byung-do cast an early ballot in Namwon, North Jeolla, where he was campaigning for Lee Won-taek, the party's candidate for North Jeolla governor.

Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the People Power Party (PPP), encouraged party members to vote early through a text message describing the election as "a vote to reject the proposed special counsel bill on canceled prosecutions," an apparent reference to a parliamentary move to end investigations into President Lee concerning prepresidential controversies.

Song plans to vote Saturday in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang, which is his constituency.

Left: Chong Won-o, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, casts his vote during the early voting period on May 29 with his wife. Right: Oh Se-hoon, the People Power Party's candidate for Seoul mayor, votes with his wife on May 29. [NEWS1]

Oh Se-hoon, the incumbent PPP mayor of Seoul seeking another term, voted in Hannam-dong.

"Seoul stands at a crossroads between moving toward the future and moving backward," Oh said. "Korea's democracy also stands at a crossroads between moving toward the future and heading toward a dictatorship."

PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok and other party figures plan to vote on election day, on Wednesday, rather than during the early voting period.

Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, voted in the Pyeongtaek-B constituency in Gyeonggi, where he is running for office.

"I hope the citizens of Pyeongtaek will unite behind a single candidate through their votes."

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, cast his ballot in his constituency in Dongtan, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi.

"I hope the people will show through these local elections that they do not accept unilateralism and arrogance," Lee said.

Former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, cast their ballots in Habuk-myeon in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, on May 29. [YONHAP]

Former President Moon Jae-in also took part in early voting.

After voting in Habuk-myeon in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, Moon said he hoped the election would serve as "a clear verdict on insurrectionist forces." He also said he hopes there is political change in the Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang region, including Yangsan, where he resides.

"I hope this election will give strength to the Lee Jae Myung administration," Moon said.

Former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye are expected to vote on election day.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY LEE CHAN-KYU, YANG SU-MIN [[email protected]]