Seoul, Koreans vote en masse, with masks and gloves against the coronavirus

By 2 pm 53% of electorate had already voted. President Moon and his Democratic Party favored on back of success in containing the pandemic.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - South Koreans today turned out en masse to vote in parliamentary elections today. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, each voter was asked to cast their vote wearing surgical masks; staying at least one meter away from the others; allowing their temperature to be measured; disinfecting their hands; using gloves.

By two in the afternoon 23.3 million people had already voted, or 53% of the total number of voters (44 million). Polls will remain open until 18 today.

The parliamentary elections, which are held every four years, serve to secure the 300 members of the National Assembly, of which 253 are directly elected, and 47 proportionally.

The country has decided to keep the election although it was rocked by the coronavirus pandemic. The dedication of medical personnel, strong solidarity among people, the efficiency of the government in giving precise indications has allowed South Korea to reduce infections to a minimum and not to block economic activities.

In the past three days there have been fewer than 30 new cases of infection; the total is 10,591.

Precisely because of the good results obtained in the fight against Covid-19, President Moon Jae-in and his Democratic Party are the favorites of the elections