The National Election Commission announced that the number of overseas voters for the 21st presidential election, which will be held at 182 overseas diplomatic missions worldwide from May 20 to May 25, has been confirmed to be a total of 258,254 (229,531 overseas absentees and 28,723 overseas voters).

This represents a 14.2% increase compared to the 20th presidential election and a 12.3% decrease compared to the 19th presidential election.

Number of Registrants in the Overseas Voters' List*

* Overseas voter rolls include overseas voters and overseas absentees.

By continent, the number of overseas voters is as follows: Asia - 128,932 (49.9%), Americas - 75,607 (29.3%), Europe - 43,906 (17.0%), with Asia having the highest number.

By diplomatic mission, the largest numbers of overseas voters are at the Embassy of Japan (18,412), Consulate General in Los Angeles (10,341), and Consulate General in Shanghai (8,892). By country, the figures are: United States - 51,885, Japan - 38,600, and China - 25,154.

By Si/Do (province/metropolitan) in Korea, Seoul had the highest with 79,221, followed by Gyeonggi with 73,113, and Busan with 14,989. The lowest was Sejong Special Self-Governing City with 2,230. Among districts, Gangnam-gu recorded the highest at 6,809, while Ulleung-gun had the lowest at 15.

Overseas voting will be held from May 20 to May 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time each day during the period designated by the Overseas Election Commission. However, in the case of natural disasters, war, riots, or other unavoidable circumstances, voting times may be adjusted considering the expected number of voters.

Meanwhile, those who were registered on the overseas voter rolls but return to Korea without voting may vote on June 3 by notifying the local election commission with jurisdiction over their Korean address or registered domicile between May 26 and June 3.

Overseas ballots will be sent back to Korea via diplomatic pouch and, in the presence of observers recommended by political parties forming negotiating groups in the National Assembly, will be sent via registered mail to the relevant district election commissions. Counting will be conducted together with domestic ballots after the close of voting.

The NEC stated that it will make every effort to ensure fair and transparent management of the voting and counting process to avoid any inconvenience for voters and urged active participation in the election.