Millions of South Koreans are voting in a special presidential election held after months of political instability. The election was triggered by the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced widespread backlash after attempting to declare martial law in December.
Approximately 44.4 million eligible voters are participating in this high-stakes election. Polling stations across the country opened at 6:00 a.m. local time and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. Early voting was already robust, with more than one-third of voters casting their ballots over a two-day period last week. By mid-afternoon, overall turnout had reached around 71.5%.
The leading candidate is Lee Jae-myung, a prominent liberal figure, who has consistently led public opinion surveys. His main rival, conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, has struggled to gain traction amid divisions within his party and a failure to unite right-leaning voters.
Many citizens view the election as a pivotal moment—a national referendum on the previous administration’s controversial actions. The deployment of soldiers to parliament and the imposition of martial law significantly influenced public opinion and fractured the conservative political base.
The snap election format means that once the results are certified by the National Election Commission, the winner will assume office immediately, rather than following the usual transition period.
Throughout the day, voters of all ages turned out at polling stations. In central Seoul and other major cities, security forces were on high alert to ensure a safe and orderly voting process. Despite the recent unrest, the atmosphere remained calm and orderly as people took advantage of the public holiday to cast their votes.
The new president will serve a single five-year term, as mandated by the South Korean constitution. With the liberal Democratic Party already holding a majority in the National Assembly, a victory for Lee could result in a more unified government. However, if the conservative opposition remains divided, it may face challenges in mounting an effective response.
Analysts suggest that the key indicator to watch is not just whether Lee wins, but whether he secures an outright majority of the vote. A strong mandate could empower him to move swiftly on policy priorities and begin efforts to stabilize the country after months of political upheaval.
Many citizens expressed hope that the election would mark a turning point, bringing an end to the leadership vacuum and allowing the country to focus on unity and progress.
