Polls opened early Wednesday as South Koreans began to vote for their next president, with the race a tight battle between the two frontrunners liberal Lee Jae-myung and conservative Yoon Suk-yeol.
Early voting indicates turnout will be high after a campaign dominated
by mud-slinging between Lee, of the ruling Democratic Party, and Yoon
of the opposition People Power Party.
The first voters arrived at polling stations as it was still dark, lining up at
polling stations wearing their masks.
South Korea is in the grip of an Omicron COVID-19 wave, with more
than 200,000 new virus cases being recorded most days this month.
More than a million people are currently isolating at home after testing
positive, health authorities say. The country amended its electoral laws
last month to ensure they would be able to vote.
An additional 90 minutes will be allotted after closing when Covid-
positive voters will be allowed to cast their ballots.
