Seoul: South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new president, following the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial martial law declaration. The election sees a face-off between liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung and conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, each presenting starkly different visions for the future of the country.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the election comes six months after Yoon's surprise martial law declaration, which triggered an economic and political crisis reminiscent of the nation's past military regimes. As of 1 p.m., 27.56 million of the 44.39 million eligible voters had cast their ballots across 14,295 polling stations nationwide, including early, overseas, shipboard, and absentee votes.
The election has garnered significant public interest, with early voting participation reaching 34.74 percent, the second-highest since the practice began in 2014. Lee Jae-myung, representing the liberal Democratic Party, has centered his campaign on punishing those responsible for the martial law, while Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party has focused on Lee's legal challenges and leadership approach.
Key political figures, including former President Yoon and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, have participated in the voting process, emphasizing the importance of moving toward a democratic society. Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Police reported 54 cases of alleged election law violations, including an incident involving a balloon supporting Kim Moon-soo placed near a polling station.
Vote counting is set to commence after polls close at 8 p.m., with the National Election Commission expecting to announce a winner around midnight. The new president will assume office immediately, given the election's purpose of replacing Yoon. The inauguration ceremony is anticipated to occur at the National Assembly shortly after the results are confirmed.
Five candidates are contesting for the presidency, with polls showing Lee leading with around 40 percent support, followed by Kim with over 30 percent. Both candidates have prioritized economic growth and constitutional reforms as key issues, with differing strategies on security and diplomatic policies.