South Korea Sets June 3 Election to Replace Ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea will hold a snap presidential election on June 3 to replace former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last week, Acting President Han Duck-soo announced Tuesday. The election follows Yoon’s ouster by the Constitutional Court on April 4, 2025, over his controversial attempt to impose martial law in December—an action that plunged the nation into political chaos and ended his presidency after less than three years.

Under South Korean law, a new president must be elected within 60 days of a vacancy, making the June 3 date a critical deadline. The winner will serve a full five-year term, steering the country through a period marked by deep political division and public unrest. Han, who assumed interim leadership as prime minister following Yoon’s removal, emphasized the need for a swift and orderly transition. Also Read: Families Rally at Netanyahu’s Home as War Hits 18-Month Mark, Demand Hostage Deal

The election is shaping up as a high-stakes contest between South Korea’s two dominant political forces: Yoon’s conservative People Power Party (PPP) and the liberal Democratic Party. Analysts predict a polarized race, with the PPP facing an uphill battle to retain power amid fallout from Yoon’s failed martial law gambit, which alienated voters and fractured the party’s ranks. Efforts to rebuild public trust and unify behind a credible candidate will be key to the conservatives’ chances.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party appears poised to capitalize on the turmoil. Lee Jae-myung, a prominent figure who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 election, is widely seen as the frontrunner. Political observers note that Lee’s populist appeal and the PPP’s disarray could give liberals a strong edge in the race.

With less than two months until voters head to the polls, South Korea braces for a contentious campaign that will test its democratic resilience and shape its future leadership.

Key Points:

Election Date Set: South Korea will hold a snap presidential election on June 3, 2025, to replace ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, as announced by Acting President Han Duck-soo on April 8, 2025.

1. Reason for Election: The election follows Yoon’s removal from office by the Constitutional Court on April 4, 2025, due to his controversial imposition of martial law in December 2024.
2. Legal Timeline: South Korean law mandates that a new president be elected within 60 days of a vacancy, setting the stage for the June 3 vote.
3. Term of New President: The winner of the election will serve a full five-year term.
4. Political Context: The election is expected to be a polarized showdown between the conservative People Power Party (PPP) and the liberal Democratic Party.
5. Challenges for PPP: The PPP faces difficulties retaining power due to public backlash and internal divisions caused by Yoon’s martial law decision.
6. Democratic Party Advantage: Lee Jae-myung, a likely Democratic Party candidate, is considered the frontrunner, bolstered by the PPP’s struggles and his own political prominence.
7. National Implications: The outcome will determine South Korea’s leadership amid ongoing political unrest and test the country’s democratic stability.