South Korea Heads to Historic Election After Months of Political Turmoil and Yoon's Ouster
- Victor Nwoko
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
South Korea is set to elect a new president on Tuesday, marking a critical turning point for the nation after months of political upheaval, economic strain, and constitutional crisis. The election follows the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who plunged the country into chaos by declaring martial law in December 2024—an unprecedented move that led to his dramatic fall from power.
Yoon’s ousting, confirmed in April after a protracted legal battle, left the democratic nation without stable leadership for half a year. A series of interim presidents have since attempted to steer South Korea through uncertainty, while investigations into Yoon’s alleged attempt to seize power continue. He currently faces charges including insurrection—an offense that carries the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty, though South Korea has not carried out an execution in decades. Yoon denies all charges.
As the country prepares to vote, the two leading candidates promise stability, reform, and economic recovery. At the forefront is Lee Jae-myung, 60, of the liberal Democratic Party, who narrowly lost the 2022 election to Yoon. A former underage factory worker from a poor family, Lee rose through the ranks as a human rights lawyer, later becoming a mayor, governor, and lawmaker.
Lee was the target of an assassination attempt in January 2024, when he was stabbed in the neck during a public appearance. He again made headlines on December 3, 2024, when he physically forced his way into parliament through a fence to help lawmakers vote to overturn Yoon’s martial law decree. The moment, live-streamed, went viral and cemented his image as a defiant defender of democracy.
On the campaign trail, Lee has pledged to amend the constitution to permit two four-year presidential terms instead of the current single five-year term. He supports greater limits on presidential powers, especially regarding martial law. His platform also includes boosting South Korea’s small businesses, expanding the AI industry, and easing tensions with North Korea while remaining committed to denuclearization.
However, Lee’s campaign has been shadowed by multiple legal cases. He is currently on trial for alleged bribery and corruption related to a property development scandal, and was previously convicted of violating election law—a case now on appeal. Lee insists all charges are politically motivated and baseless.
His main rival, Kim Moon-soo, 73, of the conservative People Power Party (PPP), has charted a dramatically different path to leadership. Once a university labor activist jailed for his protests, Kim eventually shifted to conservatism and served as labor minister. His nomination followed internal PPP conflict, with the party initially dropping him in favor of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo before reinstating Kim after legal intervention.
Kim has promised to rebuild public trust by reforming the judiciary and electoral systems. His platform emphasizes a business-friendly environment, tax reductions, and expanded use of nuclear energy and advanced technology. Despite internal divisions, Kim has pledged to unify conservatives under a "big tent" coalition to challenge Lee.
Several third-party candidates are also contesting the election, including Lee Jun-seok, a former PPP leader who founded the New Reform Party in 2024.
Voters face a host of urgent concerns. Chief among them is the economy, which contracted in Q1 2025. Rising inflation, youth unemployment, and a sharp decline in consumer spending have left many struggling. Compounding the crisis is former U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, which has severely impacted South Korea’s export-driven economy. New tariffs on goods to the U.S. have led to a major slump in exports and financial warnings from South Korea’s leading airline, which estimates annual losses could exceed $100 million.
Amid this backdrop, both leading candidates have focused on economic recovery, job creation, housing affordability, and education reform. But the next president will also have to confront deeper, long-term issues—including a rapidly aging population, plummeting birth rates, gender inequality, and regional security threats.
North Korea continues to expand its military capabilities, including missile tests and suspected preparations to resume nuclear testing. Meanwhile, South Korea's delicate relationships with China and the United States remain crucial. The country maintains a close military alliance with the U.S., hosting nearly 30,000 American troops. In recent years, Seoul has also grown closer to Tokyo and Washington in efforts to counterbalance Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
With polls opening Tuesday and a winner expected by Wednesday, South Koreans are hoping for a new era of stability, democratic accountability, and economic revival after one of the most turbulent periods in the country’s modern history.
Commentaires