A polling station set up in the gym of an apartment complex in Nongso 1-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan, on Wednesday, the day of the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections. [Yonhap]
A polling station set up in the gym of an apartment complex in Nongso 1-dong, Buk-gu, Ulsan, on Wednesday, the day of the June 3 local elections and National Assembly by-elections. [Yonhap]

Disturbances large and small broke out at polling stations across the country Wednesday, prompting police responses throughout the day. The Korean National Police Agency said 312 election-related emergency calls were received nationwide from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Disruptions and disorderly conduct at polling stations accounted for the largest share at 53 calls, followed by 14 traffic-related complaints and three assault reports. Miscellaneous calls, including mistaken reports, totaled 242.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said it received 96 emergency calls from the time polls opened through 3 p.m.

At around 12:18 p.m., a voter at a polling station in Yeongdeungpo-gu caused a scene after already casting a ballot, shouting that he wanted to vote again. He attempted to cast a second ballot, claiming election fraud needed to be exposed.

At 12:36 p.m., a male voter in his 60s at a polling station in Dongjak-gu suddenly became agitated and caused a disturbance while a poll worker checked his identification.

In Gangdong-gu, a woman in her 70s caused a commotion after claiming she found someone else's signature next to her name in the voter registry, prompting police to respond. A poll worker had made an error, causing another voter to sign on the woman's line in the registry.

The National Election Commission said nationwide voter turnout stood at 51.9 percent as of 3 p.m., surpassing the final turnout of 50.9 percent in the local elections four years ago.


nyang@heraldcorp.com