South Korea Snap Election Intensifies as Candidates Clash in High-Stakes Race
SEOUL, June 20, 2025 – South Korea’s political landscape has been upended as the nation’s snap presidential election, prompted by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, enters its final and most heated phase. The election, scheduled for June 3, follows months of turmoil after Yoon’s controversial six-hour martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, which led to his removal from office by the Constitutional Court on April 4, 2025.
More than a quarter of eligible voters have already cast their ballots, underscoring intense public engagement in a race seen as pivotal for the country’s future. The main contenders—frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the opposition Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party—faced off in a tense first televised debate, with both candidates trading barbs over the legacy of Yoon’s presidency and the path forward for South Korea.
Lee Jae-myung, a former human rights lawyer and previous presidential candidate, leads the polls with support ranging from 46% to 49%, while Kim Moon-soo, a former labor minister and conservative stalwart, trails with 35% to 37%. The campaign has been dominated by issues stemming from the martial law crisis, economic recovery, housing costs, political polarization, and South Korea’s relations with the United States and North Korea.
Investigations into former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ex-Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok—both linked to the martial law chaos—continue to fuel public debate and have become focal points in the campaign. The political uncertainty has not dampened economic optimism; the Kospi index surged past 3,000, reflecting investor confidence in the country’s resilience despite ongoing instability.
The election will determine who leads South Korea through a period marked by heightened domestic division and international challenges, including U.S. tariffs on key exports and North Korea’s persistent threats. The newly elected president is expected to be inaugurated immediately, without the customary transition period, and will face the immediate task of restoring public trust and charting a stable course for the nation.
As South Korea awaits the outcome, the world watches closely, recognizing the significant implications this election holds for the country’s democracy and its role on the global stage.