According to the National Election Commission, overseas voting for the 18^th Presidential Election took place at 164 overseas missions for 6 days from December 5 to 10 without any incident. 158,235 out of 222,389 registered overseas voters participated in overseas voting, with a voter turnout reaching 71.2%.

The voter turnout has increased by 25.5%p, compared to the voter turnout of 45.7 in the 19^th National Assembly elections held on April 11 this year. The high voter turnout indicates that overseas Koreans are very interested and willing to vote in the Presidential Election held for the first time in the constitutional history.

Those currently residing in the following countries took part in overseas voting:

37,103 voters in the USA (71.6%), 25,312 in Japan (67.8%), 24,330 in China (68.2%), 7,048 in Canada (74.2%), 4,252 in Germany (78.2%), 1,452 in Russia (74.3%), 2,352 in the UK (78.2%) and 2,459 in France (76.1%)

Voters who participated in overseas voting by continental groups are as shown below:

77,931 voters in Asia (69.0%), 53,614 in America (72.9%), 8,623 in Europe (77.2%), 5,660 in the Middle East (67.9%) and 2,407 in Africa (70.8%)

The overseas votes are scheduled to arrive at the Incheon International Airport by December 16. Diplomatic pouches or specially designed bags will be used for delivery.

Once overseas votes arrive at the Incheon International Airport, the NEC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Korea Post will check them in the presence of the observer nominated by the political parties. The confirmed overseas votes will then be sent to each Gu/Si/Gun election commission by registered mail.

The overseas votes received by each Gu/Si/Gun election commission will be put in the overseas ballot boxes in the presence of the observer nominated by the political parties. The overseas ballot boxes will then be moved to the counting centers and opened after 6pm on Election Day.

The NEC has expressed its gratitude to those who participated in overseas voting despite their tough local circumstances and also its determination to strive for the improvement of systems to facilitate overseas voting.