Seoul, South Korea (AP) – Millions of South Koreans went to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new president, following a snap election triggered by the exile of Yoon Suk Yeol. The conservative party is currently embroiled in an explosive trial on insurrection charges related to his brief imposition of martial law ordinance last December.
Pre-election surveys indicated a strong lead for Yoon’s rival, Lee Jae-myung, whose campaign has gained momentum fueled by widespread public dissatisfaction with the conservative leadership.
South Korean Democratic presidential candidate Lee Jae-myeon arrives at the presidential election campaign in Seoul, South Korea on Monday, June 2, 2025 (AP Photo/Le Jin-man)
The leading conservative candidates, Kim Moon Su and his People’s Power Party, are struggling to attract moderate swing voters amid ongoing divisions over Yun’s actions.
This election represents another pivotal moment for South Korea’s resilient democracy, yet there are concerns that internal divisions may worsen as Yun’s martial law implementations weigh heavily on the political landscape for the next president.
Over the past six months, large crowds have taken to the streets to either support or protest against Yoon, leaving a significant leadership gap that has shaken the country’s diplomatic and financial stability.
The winner will be inaugurated as president on Wednesday, serving a full five-year term without the usual two-month transition. The new leader will face considerable challenges, including a sluggish economy, Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, and the evolving nuclear threat from North Korea.
Supporters of People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon Soo will attend his campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea late on Monday, June 2, 2025 (AP Photo/Ahn Young-Joon)
Voting started at 6 a.m. at 14,295 polling stations across the nation, with observers noting that polls would close at 8 p.m. and that results could be available late in the night.
As of 4 p.m., over 16 million votes had been cast. Combined with the 15 million voters from the two-day early voting period last week, turnout reached 71.5%. South Korea has 44.4 million registered voters.
Final Appeals by Rival Candidates
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Lee, who spearheaded the legislative efforts to oust Yoon, urged voters to “make a determined and decisive judgment” against the conservatives due to the martial law.
In one of his final campaign addresses on Monday, Lee warned that a Kim victory would signify “the return of tyrants, destruction of democracy, and infringement on the rights of the people.” He also promised to boost the economy, reduce inequality, and enhance public services. He called for voter support.
Kim, who previously served as Yoon’s Labor Minister, cautioned that an election win for Lee would enable him to consolidate excessive power, retaliate against opponents politically, and legislate protections for himself, as his party already dominates Congress.
“They’re aiming to strip South Korea of all its power and set up a dictatorship akin to Hitler,” Kim warned at a rally in Busan.
Lee’s Position Influences National Direction
Lee, a former mayor of Sungnam City and Gyeonggi Province governor, has been a polarizing figure in Korean politics for years.
As a former child laborer recognized for his inspiring ascent, Lee has garnered fame for his critiques of the conservative establishment, advocating for a more assertive South Korea in its foreign policy. This rhetoric has crafted his image as a reformer capable of addressing deep-seated economic inequities and corruption.
However, critics label him as a volatile populist who relies heavily on political theatrics and unfulfilled promises.
On foreign policy, Lee has not made any controversial statements recently and has expressed a commitment to practical diplomacy, viewing the South Korea-U.S. alliance as the cornerstone of international relations while striving to reinforce the trilateral partnership among Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo.
Experts assert that South Korea faces limited diplomatic options concerning Trump’s tariff increases and the demand for increased financial contributions for U.S. military presence, alongside the direct confrontation with North Korean nuclear ambitions. Both Lee and Kim have refrained from outlining ambitious foreign policy initiatives.
Lee’s administration may encounter “some friction” with the Trump administration, but Kim is likely to prioritize relations with Washington and offer more concessions, according to Jung Jin Yong, former dean of Pan-Pacific International Studies at Kyung Hee University in South Korea.
Experts predict that Lee will refrain from pursuing overly dramatic foreign policy changes and security strategies, given the vulnerability of South Korea’s economy and financial markets to such shifts.
On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, a woman voted for the presidential election at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea (AP Photo/Le Jin Man)
Lee has criticized Trump for his patience regarding tariff policies and cautioned against hastily pursuing negotiations for an early agreement with Washington. Conversely, Kim expressed his eagerness to meet Trump as soon as possible.
On Monday, South Korean trade officials convened an emergency meeting to devise measures in response to Trump’s announcement regarding the increase in steel tariffs starting June 4, raising aluminum tariffs to 50%. Last week, the central bank of South Korea significantly lowered its growth forecast for 2025 to 0.8%.
The Future of North Korea Relations Remains Uncertain
Tensions with North Korea have persisted since 2019, with the regime focused on expanding its nuclear arsenal while refusing to engage with South Korea and the U.S.
Since his second term took effect in January, Trump has indicated his desire for renewed diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. However, Kim has largely ignored such offers, prioritizing relations with Russia instead.
Lee, advocating for a more amicable relationship with North Korea, acknowledged that convening a summit with Kim Jong Un soon would be “very challenging.” He expressed support for Trump’s initiative to rekindle discussions with Kim.
Lee’s foreign policy strategist believes that South Korea has limited leverage in persuading North Korea to denuclearize, as stated by Pike Waal, a professor at a national university in Seoul.
Lee does not share the same sense of nationalist enthusiasm as the previous liberal president, Moon Jae-in, who engaged in three summits with Kim Jong Un from 2017 to 2022.
Source: apnews.com