South Korea Elects New President Amidst Political Crisis

South Koreans are voting for a new president after the Constitutional Court removed conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his imposition of martial law. Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung is leading in pre-election surveys, promising to revitalize the economy and ease national divisions, while conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo has struggled to win over moderate voters. The new president will face challenges including a slowing economy, US President Trump's America-first policies, and North Korea's nuclear threats, and will be sworn in immediately for a five-year term. Lee has vowed to support Trump's push to restart talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, while Kim has pledged to meet Trump as soon as possible.

Millions of South Koreans voted in a snap presidential election on June 3, 2025, triggered by the ouster of conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over rebellion charges tied to his failed martial law decree in December. Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung is poised for victory, capitalizing on public anger over Yoon's crisis. The new president will face challenges including a slowing economy, US President Donald Trump's America-first policies, and North Korea's nuclear threats. Lee has promised to revitalize the economy, reduce inequality, and ease national divisions, while his conservative opponent Kim Moon Soo warned that a Lee win would lead to a "Hitler-like dictatorship." The winner will be sworn in immediately on June 4 for a five-year term.

South Koreans voted on Tuesday to elect a new president in a snap election, with Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party leading in polls against Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party. The new leader will be inaugurated on Wednesday and face issues including the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law decree, a struggling economy, and strained geopolitical tensions. The election was called after Yoon's impeachment in December, and voter turnout is expected to be high, with over 44 million eligible voters. The winner will serve a five-year term, with the candidate receiving the most votes winning the presidency. Key issues include navigating external forces, resolving social issues, and unifying a divided country.

Young South Korean voters are disenchanted with the candidates in the recent election, feeling that they do not address key issues such as youth unemployment, pension reform, and gender-based discrimination. Many young people protested against former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration and were relieved when he was impeached, but are now frustrated with the available choices. Despite this, they are still planning to vote, with some opting for third-party candidates in an effort to stop the dominant parties from regaining power. Issues like youth unemployment, pension reform, and gender-based violence are not being adequately addressed by the main candidates, leading to widespread disillusionment among young voters.

South Koreans voted for a new president to end months of political crisis triggered by the impeachment and removal of former president Yoon Suk-yeol. The election is seen as a referendum on Yoon's failed power grab and the future direction of the country's democracy. Democratic Party nominee Lee Jae-myung was the front runner, leading in final polls over conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, while a third candidate, Lee Jun-seok, complicated the race by attracting younger conservative voters. The new president will face a fragile economy, a divided electorate, and the need to restore international confidence.

South Koreans voted in a presidential election pitting liberal Lee Jae-myung against conservative Kim Moon-soo, following months of chaos after former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. Lee, a former human rights lawyer, is expected to win comfortably, having capitalized on public anger over Yoon's actions and promising to revitalize the economy and reduce inequality. The new president will face challenges including a slowing economy, trade tensions with the US under Donald Trump, and the nuclear threat from North Korea, amidst ongoing divisions sparked by Yoon's impeachment.