South Koreans will vote on June 3 to elect a new president in a snap election triggered by the dramatic ousting of former leader Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon’s presidency came to an abrupt end after he declared martial law for six hours in December 2024, citing vague threats from North Korea and “anti-state forces.” The move, widely seen as an attempt to cling to power amid mounting political challenges, led to his impeachment and eventual removal by the Constitutional Court.
The upcoming vote comes at a turbulent time for the nation of 52 million. The new president will inherit a fractured political landscape, an economy rattled by domestic unrest and global trade tensions, and the challenge of navigating Seoul’s strained ties with both the U.S. and China. Relations with North Korea remain unpredictable, and South Korea’s plummeting birth rate now the world’s lowest at 0.75 adds to the urgency for policy reform.
The frontrunner in the race is Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party. A former human rights lawyer with working-class roots, Lee narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election. He now promises to create a “real Republic of Korea” focused on jobs, fairness, and social equity.
Trailing him is Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who is campaigning on economic revitalization and business-friendly policies. Kim’s candidacy has been overshadowed by Yoon’s legacy; the former president resigned from the PPP in an apparent bid to boost Kim’s chances.
Other candidates include Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party, Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party, and independents Hwang Kyo-ahn and Song Jin-ho. Notably, this is the first presidential race in 18 years without a female candidate.
Polling stations will open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time, with results expected overnight. The winner will assume office immediately—without the benefit of a transition—and face the daunting task of restoring public trust and political stability.
Meanwhile, Yoon awaits trial for insurrection and abuse of power, becoming the first South Korean president to be arrested while in office, marking a dramatic chapter in the country’s modern political history.
