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The turnout in this election was 50.9%, the second lowest among local elections in history.

In particular, Gwangju, which had the highest voter turnout in the nation during the presidential election three months ago, was the lowest in the country with 37.7% this time.



Reporter Kim A-young analyzed the reasons why about half of all voters did not go to the polls.



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The turnout of 50.9% is 9.3 percentage points lower than the previous local election.



After the introduction of the local elections in 1995, it is the second last in history after 48.9% in the 3rd election in 2002.



Among the 17 cities and provinces, Gwangju recorded 37.7%, the only one that did not exceed the 40% threshold, and even Gyeonggi, the biggest winner of this election, was below the average with 50.6%.



Seoul recorded 53.2% and Incheon 48.9%.



The National Election Commission analyzed that as this election was held three months after the election, the relatively low interest of the voters was linked to the low turnout.



Some point out that regional issues were relatively neglected as the opposition parties held the elections with the political stability and government checks at the forefront, just like in the extended presidential campaign.



[Park Won-ho/Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Seoul National University: It should be held like a local election, but the election was held continuously with national issues.

Of course, voters are very tired because it is held like an overtime for the presidential election.]



The politicians have not been able to draw half of the voters to the polls.



Even high early turnout did not lead to an increase in turnout.



The early turnout was 20.6%, the highest among local elections in history, but only the effect of dispersing the votes on Election Day did not raise the overall turnout.



On the other hand, the turnout in the by-elections for the seven members of the National Assembly held together was 55.6%, slightly higher than in the local elections.



Gyeyang-eul, Incheon and Bundang-gap, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, where candidate Lee Jae-myung and Ahn Cheol-soo ran, each exceeded 60%, reflecting their interest.



(Video editing: Seungjin Lee)