[Photo by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]
South Korean voters talk about a better life as they cast ballots to pick a new president in an election that followed a six-month period of political turmoil caused by a corruption scandal involving jailed ex-president Park Geun-hye.
The atmosphere at a polling station set up at a cultural center in Seoul's Jungrang district was jovial with young couples and elderlies wearing smiles on their face after casting ballots.
"I don't think my vote will immediately affect the way I live my life but I do believe it will certainly make positive changes to the way my child would live," Jeong Goo-jeong, a 35-year-old housewife carrying her 16-month-old son on her back, told Aju News.
Since the scandal revealed ties between Park and conglomerates, South Koreans have called for structural changes to eradicate corruption.
Lee Mi-yeon, a 32-year-old businesswoman, said: "I did not vote for a mainstream candidate but I made my decision, based on my beliefs. I wish more positive changes will be made in the future".
"The thing is, no matter who we vote for, we all wish for a better future. That's the reason I dragged my tired body over to the polling station early this morning," said Lee.
While many voted in hopes of positive changes but some said they were exercising their rights to bring justice to Park and her associates who tainted their country with corruption.
"I voted in hopes of former president Park and politicians who took part in the corruption to meet justice and be punished," a 34-year-old freelancer said on condition of anonymity.
Park Sae-jin = swatchsjp@ajunews.com
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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