A Precious Vote, My Absolute Right": South Korean Stars Encourage Civic Duty Amid June 3 Local Elections

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Top stars have enthusiastically turned out to share proof of their participation in the June 3 National Simultaneous Local Elections, encouraging the public to exercise their civic rights.

Jin of the global phenomenon BTS visited the 3rd Polling Station in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of June 3. Despite having just returned to South Korea after wrapping up the Las Vegas leg of BTS's massive Arirang world tour, the artist made it a priority to cast his precious ballot.

The election also marked a major personal milestone for several young stars casting their very first ballots. CORTIZ members Juhoon and Martin, both born in 2008, participated in their first-ever election. Taking to the global fan platform Weverse, they shared their excitement, writing, "We are officially adults now."

The members of the rookie girl group ODD YOUTH also completed their voting duties, with the exception of their Japanese member, Maika, who does not hold voting rights. Member Kani expressed her pride on social media, stating, "I have cast my very first vote as a citizen of the Republic of Korea. It feels incredibly fulfilling."

Under the current Public Official Election Act in South Korea, voting rights are granted to citizens who turn 18 years old by the day after the election. For this specific cycle, individuals born on or before June 4, 2008, were legally eligible to cast their ballots.

Celebrities from the acting and television spheres also actively shared their election day routines. Actor Yoon Jong-hoon uploaded a selfie taken directly in front of his local polling station on his personal social media account. "Make sure everyone goes out to vote today! I'm heading off to the set of my drama Our Happy, Beautiful Days now!" he wrote.

Celebrated musical theatre couple Kim So-hyun and Son Jun-ho cast their ballots alongside their son, Joo-an. Sharing a family photo online, they noted, "Teaching Joo-an the profound value of a single, precious vote."

Prominent TV personality and broadcaster Jang Sung-kyu similarly brought his son along to experience democracy in action. "Our very first trip to the polling station together," Jang shared. "To the candidates who will be elected today, we strictly entrust you with the future of our beautiful children."

TV personality Jang Young-ran squeezed in her civic duty immediately after wrapping up her busy professional schedule, uploading a classic photo of the election ink stamp pressed onto the back of her hand. She encouraged her followers, writing, "No matter how busy your day is, please make sure you make time to vote!"

The 9th National Simultaneous Local Elections, held in tandem with the legislative by-elections and re-elections, took place on June 3 from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM KST across South Korea. The early voting window was previously held from May 29 to 30.