South Korea recorded a 61% [1] voter turnout during its nationwide local elections held on June 3, 2024.
The high participation rate reflects a surge in public interest and civic engagement regarding local governance. This level of turnout is the second-highest ever recorded for a local election in the country's history.
According to data from the National Election Commission, approximately 27.2 million [2] people cast their ballots. This represents a significant portion of the 44.6 million [2] eligible voters nationwide. The high engagement was evident early in the process, with an early-voting rate of 11.6% [3] on the first day of the voting period.
Officials said that the record-high early-voting figures contributed heavily to the final tally. The ninth local elections saw voters across the country participating in the selection of regional representatives, and local administrators.
The tentative tally of 61% [1] places this election just behind the historical record for local contests. The surge in participation suggests a heightened desire among the electorate to influence regional policy and leadership.
“Voter turnout reached 61%, the second-highest turnout for a local election in South Korea.”
The second-highest turnout in the history of South Korea's local elections indicates a shift toward greater political mobilization at the regional level. By utilizing early voting in record numbers, the electorate demonstrated a willingness to bypass traditional election-day constraints to ensure their voices were heard, signaling a period of intense political scrutiny for local candidates.
