A Look at South Korea's 2025 Presidential Election: Six Months After the Lifted Martial Law
Six months post-martial law suspension: South Korea inaugurates a fresh president - In the wake of a short-lived martial rule, South Korea ushers in a new leader as their president
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South Korea's democratic rights took a hit late last year when conservative President Yoon declared martial law amid a budget spat. However, this brief suspension of civil liberties was short-lived, with Yoon lifting the unpopular measure soon after. Despite this, his actions led to his impeachment and a temporary stint of interim presidents.
Currently, the country is attempting to put the politically charged crisis behind them and return to stability with the election of a new leader. A centrist candidate, Lee Jae-Myung, from the Democratic Party, is expected to seize the opportunity. According to polls, Lee is trailing by a significant margin, with 49% of votes, compared to his conservative counterpart Kim Moon-Soo's 35%.
On Tuesday, 44.3 million South Koreans flooded the polls. As of midday, the turnout was reported at 62.1%, surpassing the same time during the 2022 presidential election. Early voting options last week attracted over a third of eligible voters.
Sixty-eight-year-old taxi driver Choi Sun Wook voiced his support for the opposition leader, Lee. "Yoon betrayed the people," he said, hoping for a future president who would foster peace and unity rather than escalate ideological warfare. In contrast, sixty-four-year-old voter Park Yeon Ok backed Kim for his ability to bridge the country's divisions.
Lee stood out during the marital law crisis when he delivered a speech in defense of democracy in the parliament, surrounded by the army, a stance that resonated with many voters. In contrast, the former labor leader and conservative candidate, Kim, faced a backlash for his role in the martial law declaration and initially refused to apologize. Only in May did Kim express "sincere regret" to those affected by the declaration.
The election occurs under heightened security as Lee survived an assassination attempt last year and traditionally wears a bulletproof vest and speaks behind glass shields during campaigning.
The South Korean president serves a five-year term and can only hold office once. Apart from unifying the country, the new leader faces economic challenges, rising costs of living, and the North Korea's nuclear-armed military threat.
Glossary
- South Korea
- Martial Law
- Lee Jae-Myung
- Economic Crisis
- Impeachment
- Kim Moon-Soo
- Presidential Election
- Constitutional Court
Enrichment Data:
In early 2025, South Korea faced a political and economic crisis following the imposition of temporary martial law and the ensuing impeachment of then-President Yoon. The country, governed by an interim president since Yoon's removal, is now hoping to overcome the polarized political climate and recover stability through the presidential election. Candidates Lee Jae-Myung and Kim Moon-Soo represent the main contenders in the election. Lee, a centrist politician, has maintained a significant lead in polls, while Kim, a former cabinet member and conservative, expressed regret over his role in the marital law declaration earlier this year. The winner of the election will face challenges such as healing political divides, managing the country's economic issues, and addressing international concerns like the North Korea's nuclear threat.
- The policy-and-legislation surrounding vocational training could play a crucial role in South Korea's efforts to address economic challenges faced by the new president, as the country seeks to foster a skilled workforce and improve employment opportunities for all citizens.
- In light of war-and-conflicts, such as the ongoing tensions with North Korea, South Korea's new president will need to navigate complex politics and implement a comprehensive policy to ensure the security and safety of its citizens.
- Crime-and-justice is another important aspect that the newly-elected South Korean president will have to tackle, especially given the high-profile assassination attempts against some of the country's political leaders in recent years, which have heightened concerns about personal security and the need for effective law enforcement.
