South Koreans head to polls despite coronavirus outbreak

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

Millions of South Koreans are expected to cast their vote in Wednesday's parliamentary election for the 300 members of the National Assembly in an election that is seen as a mid-term referendum for the country's President Moon Jae-in and his party.

More than a quarter of the country's 44 million voters cast their ballot early -- a record proportion of early voters.

...SNIP...

As of 3 p.m. local time, 56.5% of registered voters had cast their ballot -- including those who voted early. That's 10 percentage points higher than the proportion who had voted at same time in the last parliamentary election in 2016.

...SNIP...

At Seoul's Samseon-dong polling station, stickers on the ground outside indicated where voters should stand so that they are spaced at least one meter (three feet) apart from one another as they queue up to cast their ballot. At the door, voters are handed masks and gloves and a polling station officer takes their temperature. Anyone with a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Farenheit) is required to vote in a special booth. While all polling booths are regularly disinfected.


Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/15/asia/south-korea-election-intl-hnk/index.html

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[soryang]

1. These English language reports always leave out the essential weakness of the right

Much of the success of the Democratic Party is attributed to the success of the incumbent democratic administration in managing the corona virus epidemic.

Many western observers have yet to recognize the effect of disclosures of influence peddling, corruption and political interference on the part of the conservative leaders, Hwang and Na, particularly in the administration of justice in South Korea over the years. The revitalization of a free press in South Korea particularly after the removal of conservative President Park Geun-hye from office has had an impact on electoral politics.

Link to tweet

[SunSeeker]

3. Yes. SK Dems did everything right; Trump did everything wrong.

The voters are rightfully rewarding SK Dems with their vote. Trump's bad example showed them how lucky they are to have the leaders they do.

[SunSeeker]

2. Unlike in Wisconsin, there are ample voting places, well organized with safety equipment.

South Korean voters and poll workers are provided gloves, hand sanitizer at the polls, temperatures are checked and everyone has a mask.

Plus, unlike in the US, in South Korea, anyone who wants a Covid-19 test can get a test. With results in 45 minutes. Here, it takes a week or more, and you have to be on death's door to get one.

[iluvtennis]

4. Nice. nt