Two days of early voting began on Thursday in South Korea’s presidential election at 3,568 polling stations across the country, five days before the main vote scheduled for June 3.
The election will determine the successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office for attempting to impose martial law. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung voted in Seoul. After voting, he said that “rebellion can only be overcome through the active participation of citizens” and urged voters to exercise their right to vote. Lee, a human rights activist turned politician, said his policy priority would be economic recovery and expressed his willingness to negotiate with North Korea.
His main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party, voted in Incheon, his opponent’s constituency. He said that without voting, “the country will have no hope,” and that support for his rival “threatens freedom.”
After voting, Kim visited Freedom Park in Incheon, where he paid tribute to General Douglas MacArthur, commander of American forces during the 1950 Incheon landing, which was a turning point in the Korean War.
According to the latest poll released yesterday, Lee Jae-myung is in the lead with 49.2 per cent. He is followed by Kim Moon-soo with 36.8 per cent. Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party is in third place with 10.3 per cent. The president-elect will take office immediately after the results are announced. Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office in December 2024.
