John AdoyiSouth Korea’s National Election Commission announced on Sunday that seven candidates have officially registered to run in the country’s pivotal presidential election, with campaigning set to begin Monday ahead of the June 3 vote.
The 22-day campaign period will determine the nation’s next leader, following President Yoon Suk-yeol’s dramatic impeachment in April. This marks a critical moment for South Korea’s democracy.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe election comes after months of political turmoil triggered by Yoon’s imposition of martial law in December 2024, a move that sparked nationwide protests and ultimately led to his downfall. The constitutional mandate requires a new election within 60 days of a permanent presidential vacancy, placing South Korea at a crossroads as it grapples with domestic divisions and international challenges.
The race is widely seen as a contest between two frontrunners: Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea and Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party. A Gallup Korea poll released on Sunday showed Lee leading with 52.1 per cent support in a hypothetical three-way race against Kim, who garnered 31.1 per cent, and independent candidate Lee Jun-seok, who received 6.3 per cent.
Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election by less than 1 per cent of the vote, has staged a political comeback by rallying progressive voters with promises of economic reform, anti-corruption measures, and an expanded welfare state. His support is particularly strong among younger voters disillusioned with the conservative administration’s policies.
READ ALSO: South Korea Sets June 3 For Presidential Election Following Yoon’s Ouster
Kim Moon-soo, a former labour minister, has emerged as the conservative standard-bearer after acting President Han Duck-soo withdrew from the race. Kim has positioned himself as a stabilising force, pledging to restore order, prioritise economic growth, and take a firm stance on national security. His candidacy has united the fractured conservative base, though he faces an uphill battle against Lee’s momentum.
The election serves as a referendum on the Yoon administration’s controversial tenure, particularly his declaration of martial law, which critics decried as an authoritarian overreach. With South Korea still deeply divided, voters will choose between Lee’s vision of progressive reform and Kim’s promise of conservative stability.
Campaigning kicks off Monday with candidates expected to crisscross the nation, delivering speeches, participating in televised debates, and mobilising supporters. Analysts warn that voter turnout, especially among younger demographics, could prove decisive in what is expected to be a tightly contested race.
The outcome will have far-reaching consequences for South Korea’s domestic agenda and its role on the global stage. The next president will inherit a nation facing economic uncertainty, heightened tensions with North Korea, and complex trade relations with the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has pursued aggressive tariff policies affecting allies and rivals alike.
As the campaign unfolds, the world will be watching to see whether South Korea embraces change or continuity in one of the most consequential elections in its modern history.
