South Korea to elect new president on June 3rd following YOON’s impeachment

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - South Korea will head to the polls on 3 June to elect a new president, the country’s acting leader announced on Tuesday, following the dramatic removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over an attempted imposition of martial law.

The announcement was made by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently serving as acting president after the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment last week, formally ending his presidency and triggering a constitutional mandate to hold fresh elections within 60 days.

Yoon, who attempted to subvert civilian rule in December by deploying armed soldiers to Parliament, was impeached by lawmakers and suspended from office.

The court later ruled that his actions amounted to the use of military force for “political purposes”.

“The presidential election will be held on 3 June, and the day will be declared a temporary public holiday to enable full participation in the democratic process,” Prime Minister Han announced on Tuesday.

The official campaign period will run from 12 May to 2 June, and the new president will be sworn in the day after the election, bypassing the usual two-month transition period due to the leadership vacuum.

Han urged all ministries and the National Election Commission to “ensure a fair and transparent election process that earns the trust of the people.”

The latest Gallup poll places opposition leader Lee Jae-myung as the frontrunner with 34 per cent support, well ahead of any rivals.

A familiar face in South Korean politics, Lee narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election but has since staged a comeback as leader of the Democratic Party, which currently controls the National Assembly.

Despite legal challenges—including ongoing court cases—Lee is widely expected to run, with sources revealing he is preparing to step down as party leader to compete freely for the nomination.

“The current polling shows Lee Jae-myung has high approval ratings and he is very likely to win, as it seems he doesn’t have a proper challenger,” said Professor Lee Jun-han of Incheon National University.

Trailing far behind in second place is Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo, polling at around 9 per cent, followed by former People Power Party chief Han Dong-hoon and other minor candidates from the embattled ruling party.

Yoon’s removal marks only the second time a South Korean president has been impeached and removed by the Constitutional Court, following Park Geun-hye’s ousting in 2017.

His attempt to declare martial law came amid political unrest and was seen as a power grab that shocked the nation. Millions watched the live broadcast of the court’s verdict last Friday, making it one of the most dramatic moments in South Korean political history.

Since Yoon’s suspension in December, the country has faced several crises, including an aviation disaster, deadly wildfires, and rising trade tensions with the United States, where President Donald Trump recently announced 26 per cent tariffs on South Korean exports.

Yoon now faces a separate criminal trial on charges of insurrection, further cementing his fall from grace.

As the country prepares for a critical election, political analysts say South Koreans are likely to vote for stability and legitimacy in the wake of months of uncertainty.

“South Koreans are craving responsible leadership,” said political analyst Jang Woo-seok. “This election is not just about choosing a president—it’s about restoring democratic confidence.”