Feature: S. Koreans demand better livelihood, cleaner politics, unity from new president

South Korea launched a presidential by-election early on Wednesday to pick a replacement for the impeached President Park Geun-hye who is currently on trial for corruption charges.

The election to select the country's 19th president kicked off at 6:00 a.m. local time (2100 GMT Monday) and would last till 8:00 p.m. (1100 GMT Tuesday).

As of 2:00 p.m., over 25.4 million voters cast their ballots at 13,964 polling stations nationwide. The voting rate was 59.9 percent among the electorate of 42,479,710 people.

The rate includes an early voting rate of 26 percent. The early voting, which was adopted in 2013 and first applied to this year's presidential election, was conducted from May 4 to May 5.

Voters had a great interest in this year's election for various reasons. It was the first presidential by-election since the current constitution was enacted in 1987 ending the military dictatorship.

In the process of Park's impeachment, the dark side of the South Korean society prevailing every nook and corner was revealed, encouraging people to vote for cleaner, competent and broader-minded president.

Reflecting the great interest, some of the voters lined the streets to become the first person to cast a ballot in the district where they live.

Some took selfies in front of the polling stations to prove themselves as politically-awakened voters. Others came to the poll together with their children to let them realize how important an election is.

What South Korean voters demanded the most from the new president was better livelihood, cleaner politics and national unity.

"It is very hard to earn a living. I selected a candidate who can overcome economic hardships and keep election pledges," said Kim Bong-ok in her 50s at a polling station in central Seoul.

A 27-year-old woman, who declined to be identified, said most of people were disappointed at two conservative presidents of Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye who raised the youth unemployment rate so high and made the livelihood of the elderly poorer.

People's livelihood, she said, is so tough that the new leader must put a top priority on the economy.

A 58-year-old female voter also noted that the new president should prioritize making people's livelihood better, adding that whoever is to be elected should do politics for the next generation.

Ethical standard was raised among voters as the former president was impeached over bribery allegations.

"I selected a candidate who can do cleaner politics than others. I hope the next president govern our country in a cleaner way," said Kang So-eui, a 30-year-old woman.

A 40-year-old female voter said he place the most significance at the ethical feature in picking a candidate for the new leader, stressing the need for the abolition of old-fashioned politics rampant with corruptions.

A 27-year-old man said he only anticipated a stricter morality than the Park Geun-hye government from the next administration, adding that he picked a candidate who suggested realizable pledges.

National unity was one of the main points in casting votes. "I picked a candidate who can unify a divided nation," said Jeon Yoo-joon, a 30-year-old male voter.

A long-standing internal divide between generations, between regions and between ideologies have long plagued the country. It tended to be amplified during the election period as candidates sought to use the division for the political purpose.

A woman in her 70s said South Korea is being divided according to generations, regions and ideologies, hoping that the new president increase communications with people and establish national identity to unify the divided nation.

A man in his 70s noted that whoever is to be elected should overcome the national division and dedicate himself to national development, adding that this presidential election should generate a hope in the country. Enditem