South Korea to Hold Presidential Election on June 3 After Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol
South Korea will hold its presidential election on June 3, 2025, following the impeachment and removal of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. This decision was announced by acting president and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday.
The election must occur within 60 days of the Constitutional Court’s decision to uphold Yoon’s impeachment, which was triggered by his declaration of martial law in December 2024. The country has been without a leader since Yoon was suspended from office after lawmakers impeached him for attempting to undermine civilian rule.
The date for the election, which will be a temporary public holiday, was set to allow enough time for political parties to prepare and ensure smooth operations during the election process. Prime Minister Han emphasized the need for fair and transparent elections, with the winner expected to be inaugurated the following day.
The official campaign period will run from May 12 to June 2, 2025. As of now, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, is the frontrunner, with a strong 34% approval rating in recent polls. Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, is positioned to make a political comeback despite ongoing legal issues. Experts believe Lee is highly likely to win, as there are few significant challengers at this stage.
Lee’s main opponent is Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo, who has about 9% support and represents the People Power Party. Despite his support, Kim faces stiff competition from other challengers within his party, which was the party of the impeached president.
South Korea has been in a state of leadership limbo since Yoon’s impeachment, with no effective head of state to manage a series of national crises, including a major aviation disaster and the deadliest wildfires in the country’s history. Additionally, South Korea has been hit by significant trade issues, including a 26% tariff imposed on its exports to the United States following President Trump’s introduction of global reciprocal tariffs.
The election marks a crucial turning point for South Korea, as the country seeks to move past the leadership vacuum and instability caused by Yoon’s controversial actions.
