South Korea Votes Amid Political Turmoil Following Martial Law Crisis

South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday, June 3, to elect a new president following the impeachment of former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office after his controversial declaration of martial law.

Election Overview

Polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m. local time, with millions of voters already casting their ballots during early voting last week. The election is widely seen as a referendum on Yoon’s administration, which left South Korea leaderless for months.

Candidates & Polling Trends

Liberal Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party is the frontrunner, with the latest Gallup poll showing 49% support. His main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP)—Yoon’s former party—trails at 35%.

Impact of Martial Law & Political Crisis

Yoon’s martial law declaration led to armed soldiers being deployed to parliament, sparking public outrage and his impeachment. Experts say the crisis fractured the conservative base, making it difficult for the PPP to regain voter confidence.

Election Significance & Voter Sentiment

With South Korean presidents serving a single five-year term, the winner will take office immediately after the National Election Commission ratifies the vote tally. Analysts predict high voter turnout, with many seeing the election as a turning point for the country.