South Korea has announced its plans to hold an early presidential election on June 3, in order to choose a successor to former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted last week by the country’s Constitutional Court, who unanimously upheld his impeachment by the National Assembly in December. The impeachment was a result of Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law.

Instead of being concerned with the modeled Supreme Court, the focus has now shifted to who should take the lead in the country. South Korea is required by law to elect a new president within 60 days of the court’s ruling.

Political parties will begin primary races in the next few days to choose their presidential candidates by May 12. The winner of the election will assume office immediately and without a typical two-month transition period.

South Korea will continue to deal with external challenges during this time. This includes President Donald J. Trump’s sweeping 25 percent tariff on its goods, while being led by an unelected interim leader, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, is widely expected to win his party’s nomination.

The choice for Yoon’s conservative People Power Party is less clear, as more than a dozen politicians have expressed interest.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/world/asia/south-korea-election.html