South Korea grapples with political upheaval: Interim leader vows to restore tranquility
The city of Seoul is currently in a state of flux, with interim leader Lee Ju Ho trying his damnedest to bring calm to the government following a turbulent wave of resignations. On Friday, Lee proclaimed, "I'll give it my all to keep this government ship steady." He plans to collaborate closely with the cabinet and the opposition-controlled parliament until the presidential election on June 3rd. Lee, who previously served as Minister of Education, took charge on Thursday, making him the third acting president in a mere 5 months.
South Korea is in the grips of a political crisis following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in December. In a controversial move, Yeol had temporarily imposed martial law, sparking immediate opposition. The National Assembly swiftly revoked the order, leading to Yeol's subsequent charges of "insurrection" and eventual removal from office by the Constitutional Court on April 4th, 2025.
Things heated up further on Thursday when outgoing Prime Minister Han Duck Soo announced his resignation, then declared his candidacy for the presidential election the very next day. He was supposed to hand the interim presidency to Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok, but Choi, who's currently embroiled in impeachment proceedings, suddenly declined and resigned from his cabinet post. This leaves uncertainty about who will steer South Korea through the ongoing trade dispute with the United States.
Adding to the confusion, the Supreme Court on Thursday raised questions about the eligibility of opposition candidate Lee Jae Myung to run for the highest office. A lower court will now have to decide if Lee can stand for election on June 3rd. The legal battle centers around allegations that Lee made false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign, which could ban him from running for public office for 5 years.
Key Players in the Game
Acting President Han Duck-soo:
A seasoned public servant, Han is acting president after Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster. He has garnered support from the conservative camp due to his moderate image and decades-long service. However, for Han to run for president, he'd need to resign from his post and navigate party politics[4][5].
Opposition Candidate Lee Jae-myung:
Leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, Lee is currently polling well. He enjoys considerable support in Gwangju and Jeolla Province[2][4].
As June 3rd draws near, the political landscape in South Korea remains unpredictable. The race for the presidency is heating up, with questions over eligibility, impeachment proceedings, and a volatile trade dispute with the US adding to the mix. It's a wild ride in Seoul, and only time will tell who emerges victorious.
(Reporting by Jack Kim, Jihoon Lee, and Hyunsu Yim; Writing by Elke Ahlswede; Editing by Ralf Bode. For further questions, please contact our newsroom at [email protected])
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- In the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment and the subsequent political crisis, acting President Lee Ju Ho faces the challenge of steering South Korea's government through volatility.
- The pitfalls of politics are clearly seen in Seoul, as outgoing Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, embroiled in impeachment proceedings, resigned and announced his presidential candidacy, causing further uncertainty.
- The general news landscape in South Korea is rife with war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, and crime-and-justice issues, with the ongoing trade dispute with the United States adding to the mix.
- Amidst the political race, opposition candidate Lee Jae Myung, with significant support in Gwangju and Jeolla Province, prepares for the June 3rd election, but questions about his eligibility due to alleged false statements could still ban him from public office.
- As South Korea navigates through this season of political change, experienced public servant Han Duck-soo and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung are key players in the game, each facing their own set of challenges and pitfalls.
