Millions of South Koreans are voting Tuesday in a snap presidential election triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon, a conservative leader, now faces a high-profile trial on rebellion charges linked to his brief imposition of martial law last December.
Pre-election polls indicate a strong lead for Yoon’s liberal rival, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, who appears poised for a decisive victory. Lee’s surge reflects widespread public frustration with conservative leadership after Yoon’s controversial martial law move.
The main conservative contender, Kim Moon Soo of the People Power Party, has struggled to attract moderate and swing voters amid ongoing internal party divisions over how to address Yoon’s legacy.
This election marks a critical juncture for South Korea’s vibrant democracy, but political observers warn the deep domestic divisions stemming from Yoon’s tenure remain unresolved and could challenge the incoming administration.
Since Yoon’s impeachment, the country has witnessed large public demonstrations both supporting and opposing the former president, alongside diplomatic uncertainty and financial market volatility caused by the leadership vacuum.
Voting began at 6 a.m. local time across 14,295 polling stations nationwide and will continue until 8 p.m. With over 16 million voters casting ballots by 4 p.m., combined with early voting participation, turnout has reached 71.5%. South Korea has approximately 44.4 million eligible voters.
The winner of Tuesday’s election will be sworn in immediately on Wednesday, beginning a single five-year term without the usual transition period.
With input from The AP
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