South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday to elect a new president, bringing an end to six months of political turmoil sparked by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law.
Millions had already voted early, with more than a third of registered voters casting ballots during the two days of advance voting, according to the National Election Commission.
Polling data consistently showed liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung leading comfortably, with the latest Gallup survey indicating that 49 percent of respondents considered him the best choice. His main rival, Kim Moon-soo from the conservative People Power Party (PPP)—Yoon’s former party—trailed at 35 percent.
Experts said the election was largely seen as a referendum on the previous administration, which faced widespread criticism after Yoon’s declaration of martial law that included the deployment of armed soldiers to parliament. This crisis left South Korea effectively without strong leadership during the early months of US President Donald Trump’s second term.
“The martial law and impeachment crisis not only swayed moderate voters but also fractured the conservative base,” noted Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women’s University. Analysts say the conservative party remains deeply divided and faces a difficult road ahead.
Yoon became the second consecutive conservative president to be impeached, following Park Geun-hye’s removal in 2017. Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo was unable to unify the right-wing vote, as a third-party candidate, Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party, declined to join forces.
“The conservative party, once associated with capable governance, is now struggling to maintain credibility,” said Kang Won-taek, political science professor at Seoul National University.
Lee’s Democratic Party already holds a parliamentary majority, which experts believe will give him a strong platform to govern if elected. South Korean presidents serve a single five-year term, and in the case of this snap election, the winner assumes office immediately upon vote certification.
After a prolonged period of instability and acting leaders, many voters are eager for stable leadership and progress. In Gwangju, a key left-leaning city, retired teacher Jung Se-yoon called the election a “turning point” for the nation.
Experts also anticipated high voter turnout, focusing not just on whether Lee would win, but whether he could secure an outright majority. “If he crosses 50 percent, it would give him significant momentum to lead the country,” said Bae Kang-hoon, co-founder of political think tank Valid.