Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Sets Date for Presidential Election Following Impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol
South Korea is set to hold an expedited presidential election on June 3 to replace the impeached former leader Yoon Suk-yeol. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo made the announcement, citing the need for a smooth electoral process and sufficient preparation time for political parties.
According to reports from Tuesday, the decision on the election date comes after consultations with the National Election Commission and other relevant bodies. The election is being called in accordance with the country’s legal requirement that a presidential election must take place within 60 days of an officeholder’s removal.
This comes following the Constitutional Court’s unanimous decision on Friday to uphold the impeachment of Yoon, who had been in office for a term that began in 2022. The court concluded that his brief martial law declaration violated presidential authority.
Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law on December 3 caused a political uproar, with the military clashing with lawmakers and aides at the National Assembly, reminiscent of the country’s past military dictatorships before the 1987 transition to democracy. The declaration was swiftly revoked after the National Assembly voted unanimously to nullify it.
Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party, stands as a significant contender in the upcoming election, despite being entangled in various corruption charges. Acting President Han will oversee the country until the election concludes, during a time when South Korea’s export-driven economy is facing challenges, including recent tariffs imposed by the US.
US President Donald Trump’s trade measures, including a 25 percent tariff on certain South Korean imports, have stirred concerns, although sectors like semiconductors have been exempted. The auto industry, notably the most exported product to the US, remains affected by a tariff of the same percentage. South Korea’s trade deficit with the US reached a record $127.8 billion in 2024.
Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo has departed for Washington to seek relief from the implemented tariffs, marking another layer of diplomatic effort to navigate the tumultuous trade relations between the two countries.
According to reports from Tuesday, the decision on the election date comes after consultations with the National Election Commission and other relevant bodies. The election is being called in accordance with the country’s legal requirement that a presidential election must take place within 60 days of an officeholder’s removal.
This comes following the Constitutional Court’s unanimous decision on Friday to uphold the impeachment of Yoon, who had been in office for a term that began in 2022. The court concluded that his brief martial law declaration violated presidential authority.
Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law on December 3 caused a political uproar, with the military clashing with lawmakers and aides at the National Assembly, reminiscent of the country’s past military dictatorships before the 1987 transition to democracy. The declaration was swiftly revoked after the National Assembly voted unanimously to nullify it.
Lee Jae-myung, a member of the Democratic Party, stands as a significant contender in the upcoming election, despite being entangled in various corruption charges. Acting President Han will oversee the country until the election concludes, during a time when South Korea’s export-driven economy is facing challenges, including recent tariffs imposed by the US.
US President Donald Trump’s trade measures, including a 25 percent tariff on certain South Korean imports, have stirred concerns, although sectors like semiconductors have been exempted. The auto industry, notably the most exported product to the US, remains affected by a tariff of the same percentage. South Korea’s trade deficit with the US reached a record $127.8 billion in 2024.
Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo has departed for Washington to seek relief from the implemented tariffs, marking another layer of diplomatic effort to navigate the tumultuous trade relations between the two countries.
