South Koreans Head to the Polls in Urgent Presidential Election

Voters in South Korea are casting their ballots in a special presidential election during a time of political instability and growing tensions both inside and outside the country. The election was called suddenly after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office due to backlash over his controversial martial law announcement last December. Unusually, the winner of this election will take office immediately, with no transition period, and will serve a five-year term.

Leading the race is liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party. Lee, a former factory worker and human rights lawyer, played a major role in organizing protests that helped remove President Yoon from power. His live video broadcast during the crisis gained wide attention. Lee says he wants to unite the country and fix the economy. However, he is currently facing five criminal trials, though becoming president would give him legal immunity during his term.

His main rival is Kim Moon Soo, the conservative People Power Party’s candidate. Kim is a former labour minister and once a labour activist who was jailed for opposing military rule. He later joined conservative politics and now focuses on national security and economic reforms. Kim made headlines for changing his views on past dictatorships, saying he now respects former President Park Chung-hee, whom he had once strongly opposed.

This election has captured national and international attention, with citizens waiting to see whether the new leader will bring reconciliation or further deepen the political divide that has shaken South Korea in recent months.