On June 3rd, South Korea will conduct its presidential election, as announced by the acting president following the removal of former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced impeachment following a controversial declaration of martial law.
Since December, the nation has been without a clear leader, a situation that arose when Mr. Yoon attempted to undermine civilian governance, leading to his swift impeachment by the National Assembly.
In a decisive ruling last week, the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment, permanently removing him from the presidency and necessitating new elections to be held within 60 days. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo noted, “We have engaged in thorough discussions with the National Election Commission and other relevant agencies regarding the upcoming election.”
This marks a significant moment, as Mr. Yoon becomes the second South Korean leader to be impeached by the court, following Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in 2017.
Consequently, Prime Minister Han announced that “June 3rd is now set as the date for South Korea’s 21st presidential election.” To encourage voter participation, the day will also be designated as a temporary public holiday.
Mr. Han urged all ministries and the National Election Commission to “make comprehensive preparations to pledge an election that is fairer and more transparent than ever, fostering public trust in the democratic process.”
It’s important to note that unlike typical elections, where the president-elect has a two-month transition period, the winner of this election will be inaugurated the following day.
For now, Prime Minister Han is serving as acting president after the Constitutional Court dismissed his own impeachment, allowing him to oversee the government’s daily operations.
Traditionally, presidential elections in South Korea occur on a Wednesday; however, snap elections triggered by a vacancy do not adhere to a specific weekday rule.
In further developments, the official campaign period will commence on May 12 and continue until June 2. Current frontrunner opposition leader Lee Jae-myung commands a striking 34% support rating, according to the latest Gallup poll. His party has already secured control of the National Assembly.
Lee narrowly lost to Mr. Yoon in the 2022 election but has made a remarkable political comeback as the leader of the main opposition, despite facing legal challenges and ongoing trials. Following closely behind in the polls is Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo, currently garnering around 9% support, along with several contenders from Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party, including former party chief Han Dong-hoon.
Last week, millions of South Koreans witnessed the Constitutional Court’s ruling live, solidifying Mr. Yoon’s ousting. His controversial actions included deploying armed soldiers to parliament, an attempt deemed offensive to democratic principles by the court. This leadership vacuum has left the country without effective governance during critical times, including managing the aftermath of severe natural disasters and international trade challenges.
In recent news, 25% tariffs have been imposed on South Korean exports to the United States following new policies announced by President Trump. Adding to Mr. Yoon’s troubles, he is also facing a separate criminal trial on charges related to the attempted imposition of martial law.
As the nation steps into this pivotal election, many will be watching closely, hoping for a return to stability and strong leadership in the days ahead.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
