South Korea Holds Landmark Presidential Election as Voters Go to Polls to Choose New Leader
South Korea's presidential race heats up following the ousting of Yoon Suk-yeol over failed martial law plans.
South Koreans turned out in large numbers on Tuesday as nationwide polls opened to elect the country’s next president. Voting commenced at 6:00 a.m. local time and is set to continue until 8:00 p.m., with more than 14,000 polling stations operating across the country. The high-stakes election follows a period of political turbulence after the ouster of previous President Yoon Suk-yeol, whose controversial attempt to impose martial law led to his removal from office.
The presidential contest quickly became a focal point for the nation's political future. In this year's race, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party appears to be the clear frontrunner, maintaining a significant lead in pre-election surveys. Polls indicate Lee commands close to 50 percent of voter support, well ahead of his main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party, who trails at about 30 percent. This marks a notable reversal of fortunes for Lee, who narrowly lost the presidency in 2022 by just 0.73 percentage points to then-candidate Yoon.
Interest in this year’s election has been markedly high. During early voting held on May 29 and 30, over 34.74 percent of South Korea's more than 44 million eligible voters cast their ballots, signaling robust engagement amid widespread calls for change. Long queues were reported at various polling stations in major cities including Seoul and Busan, with many voters expressing hope that the new leadership will address both domestic challenges and international tensions.
Officials emphasized that the voting process has proceeded smoothly so far, with security reinforced at all polling locations. As the nation awaits the results, many are watching closely to see whether Lee Jae-myung can convert his strong polling numbers into a decisive victory, or if late momentum might swing the tide in favor of Kim Moon-soo. The outcome is expected to shape the direction of South Korea's government on issues ranging from economic policy to regional diplomacy in the years ahead.
