starting in New Zealand
Thank you for joining us. I'm Yoon Jung-min. Overseas voters began heading to polling stations on Tuesday. It began here in the Asia-Pacific, while many more are expected to make their voices heard from different parts of the world over the new few days. This time, more polling stations have been added, meaning more voters can exercise their rights overseas. Our political correspondent Oh Soo-young has the full details.
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Overseas voting for Korea's Presidential Election has begun, as ballots open Tuesday in 118 countries. Some 182 polling stations at Korean embassies, consulates, diplomatic missions and offices, will be open through Sunday local time from 8 AM to 5 PM. The first votes were cast at the 'edge of the world' in New Zealand. Cho Won-hyuk, a resident and lecturer living in Wellington, says some wait hours for the polling station to open, and many travel from regions outside the capital, with anticipation and a sense of unity.
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ballot 투표
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"For example, I already mentioned people flew from different region to physically vote in person. So that means everyone in the embassy they really appreciate all, and then sort of in the community we know each other, so it's really more welcoming and it's not just an administrative process. So whenever I go to the embassy or other diplomatic missions to vote for Korean elections, I'll feel really welcomed and my vote really counts." The 258-thousand Koreans registered to vote abroad this year account for just point-six percent of the total Korean electorate, based on 2022 figures.
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diplomatic mission 외교 공관
electorate [ɪˈlektərət] (전체) 유권자; =constituency[kən|stitʃuənsi]
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But their political engagement, and efforts to ensure their rights of suffrage are crucial to South Korean democracy. Last year's parliamentary election saw a record turnout of 62-point-eight percent among overseas voters. "Symbolically, still, this overseas voting is important as a critical mechanisms for integration of Korean diaspora community into the nation's democratic processes also this might enhance the legitimacy of Korea's democratic system because overseas votes mean that the system tries to include more diverse perspectives even from overseas citizens."
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political engagement 정치참여
suffrage [ˈsʌfrɪdʒ] 투표권, 선거권, 참정권
record turnout 기록적인 수의 참가자; 기록적인 투표율
diaspora community 이주민 사회
diaspora[daɪˈæspərə] 해외이주자 집단
legitimacy[ lɪ|dƷɪtɪməsi ] 합법성, 적법; 타당성
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To ensure more Koreans can enjoy their right to vote in this election, 39 additional polling stations have been installed in regions where the number of overseas nationals exceeds 30-thousand. In the United States, these include the states of New York, California, Massachusetts, and Texas, opening from Thursday to Saturday. Specific locations and hours can be found on each embassy or consulate website. When heading out to the ballot booths, voters must bring photo ID. Those who have emigrated or acquired permanent residency must also present proof they remain solely Korean nationals, such as visa documents and permanent residency cards.
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present proof 증명서를 제시하다
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Requirements for each country of residence is available on the respective embassy or consulate websites. The last overseas polling station this election will close in Hawaii before sunset. Ballots will be returned to Korea via diplomatic pouches to be counted together with domestic votes after election day voting ends. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
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ballot 투표용지
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영어 원문 출처 및 동영상 링크;
arirang news/Nat'l/Politixs
https://m.arirang.com/news/view?id=283566