South Korea has officially announced a snap presidential election for June 3, following last week’s dramatic removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The impeachment has plunged the nation into political uncertainty and opened the door for a wide field of contenders vying to lead Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
Power Vacuum Amid Crisis
Yoon’s ouster came after he declared martial law in December—an unprecedented move that shocked the country and led to his impeachment by parliament. The Constitutional Court upheld the decision, citing his abuse of power and illegal mobilization of troops to stop parliamentary proceedings.
The political vacuum at the top has delayed key negotiations with the U.S., especially amid growing tensions over trade policies under U.S. President Donald Trump and economic pressures at home.
Acting President Han Duck-soo confirmed the election date during a cabinet meeting, stating that political parties need time to prepare. “The government intends to designate June 3 as the 21st presidential election day,” he said.
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Candidates Begin to Emerge
Several candidates have already stepped forward. Kim Moon-soo, Yoon’s former labor minister, resigned from his post on Tuesday and announced his intention to run. Though not currently a member of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP), Kim is polling higher than most conservative figures.
“I resigned because the people want change,” Kim said. “We face a severe national crisis that’s affecting everyone. I feel responsible to step up.”
Also entering the race is Ahn Cheol-soo, a veteran lawmaker from the PPP and one of the first to vote for Yoon’s impeachment. Ahn, who has run in the last three presidential elections, promised a clean and modern campaign focused on technology and economic reform. He aims to use artificial intelligence and innovation to boost growth amid rising U.S. tariffs.
“I am a cleaner candidate than anyone else,” Ahn stated. “This is a chance to correct course and protect our economy.”
Despite his experience, Ahn has struggled in recent polls and is currently trailing behind stronger contenders.
Lee Jae-myung Leads the Pack
The current front-runner is Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party. He narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election and now leads polls with 34% support, according to a recent Gallup survey.
Lee is expected to resign from his party leadership role soon and officially announce his candidacy. However, his path is complicated by ongoing legal battles, including charges of election law violations and bribery. Still, his populist message and strong base give him a solid edge.
Other conservative hopefuls include former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon, Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo, and Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon, though none have gained significant traction so far.
Unfinished Business
Yoon’s impeachment marks the second time in recent history that a conservative South Korean president has been removed from office. Park Geun-hye faced a similar fate in 2017 over a corruption scandal.
Yoon’s legal troubles are far from over. He now faces criminal charges of insurrection, with his trial set to begin on April 14. Until the election, Acting President Han will remain in charge, following the court’s decision to overturn his brief impeachment.
The June 3 election is expected to shape not only South Korea’s domestic policies but also its foreign strategy amid shifting global alliances and economic uncertainty.
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