By-elections See Low Voter Turnout

Low voter turnout yesterday characterized by-elections nationwide in 52 constituencies, with nine administrative and 43 councilor positions up for grabs.

The National Election Commission said that as of 6 p.m., 20.1 percent or 719,942 of 3,573,145 eligible voters cast their ballots, down from 25.3 percent in the previous by-elections on April 25 last year.

The average voter turnout in nine constituencies that drew the most attention was 26.6 percent. The figure for the race for Seoul’s Gangdong ward was 19.8 percent and that for the mayorship of Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, 29.8 percent.

Voter turnout was highest in Namhae County in South Gyeongsang Province with 62.6 percent, while Incheon’s Seo ward saw the lowest with 16.3 percent.

Average voter turnout for councilors in large constituencies was 17.8 percent and 15.7 percent in small ones.

The ruling Grand National Party had few expectations for the by-elections, which were held amid growing disenchantment due to the resumption of U.S. beef imports. The main opposition United Democratic Party was confident of landslide victories in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Based on the results from 6 p.m., the election watchdog forecast voter turnout would fall under 25 percent.

The lowest voter turnout for a Korean by-election was 21 percent on June 8, 2000.

leon@donga.com