South Korea heads to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new president, concluding a tumultuous six months marked by a controversial attempt to impose martial law by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol. The incident has tarnished the country’s reputation as a vibrant democracy.
The incoming president will inherit the challenge of unifying a society deeply divided by the martial law episode, as well as navigating an export-dependent economy facing growing protectionist pressures from the United States, a key trading partner and security ally.
Voter turnout is expected to be high, with polls open from 6 a.m. (2100 GMT Monday) to 8 p.m. Early voting saw significant participation, with over a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters casting their ballots on Thursday and Friday.
Both leading candidates, liberal Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo, have promised to usher in change, arguing that the existing political and economic structures, established during South Korea’s rise as a democracy and industrial powerhouse, are no longer adequate.
While their proposals for investment in innovation and technology share common ground, Lee emphasizes greater equity and support for low-to-middle-income families, while Kim advocates for deregulation and reduced labor restrictions to benefit businesses.
However, the shadow of Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law looms large over the election, overshadowing discussions on economic and social policies.
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Lee has framed the election as a “judgment day” against Kim and his People Power Party, accusing them of tacitly approving the martial law attempt by failing to actively oppose it and even attempting to shield Yoon from its consequences.
Kim, who served as Yoon’s labor minister at the time of the December 3 martial law declaration, has countered by labeling Lee a “dictator” and his Democratic Party a “monster.” He warns that Lee’s presidency would lead to unchecked power and the manipulation of laws for partisan gain.
Polls released a week before the election indicate Lee as the frontrunner, holding a 14-percentage-point lead over Kim with 49% public support in a Gallup Korea survey. However, Kim had narrowed an earlier gap since the start of the campaign on May 12.
Exit polls conducted by three television networks will be released at the close of polls at 8 p.m. Ballots will be initially sorted and counted by machine, followed by a manual triple-check by election officials to ensure accuracy.
The final result is uncertain, with the 2022 election seeing Lee concede to Yoon around 3 a.m. the day after the vote in the closest presidential race in the country’s history, decided by a margin of less than 1 percentage point.
The National Election Commission is scheduled to certify the result on Wednesday, with the winner’s inauguration expected shortly thereafter. Due to Yoon’s impeachment and subsequent removal from office, there will be no presidential transition period.
