On June 3, South Korea will choose a new president to replace Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted for imposing six-hour martial law over the nation in December.
The winner will be responsible for handling the political and financial consequences of Yoon’s action, which sent the nation into extreme upheaval and split views.
The emergency election is also scheduled as South Korea deals with an erratic ally in US President Donald Trump, which will influence long-standing issues such the danger from North Korea and Seoul’s icy relationship with China.
Here is everything you need to know when the country with roughly 52 million citizens decides on a new president to guide it for the next five years.
Why is South Korea about to have a presidential election?
Originally scheduled to be president until 2027, Yoon’s reign was cut short in scandal.
Declaring martial law on December 3, alleging threats from “anti-state forces” and North Korea, he stunned the country; yet, it soon became evident that his personal political problems drove him.
One week later, parliament voted impeachment of him. A constitutional court maintained his impeachment and ousted him from office permanently on April 4, therefore enabling a quick presidential election within 60 days as mandated by law.
Three acting presidents have been appointed in the six volatile months following Yoon’s martial law attempt: Lee Ju-ho, the labour minister who took up the post one month before the election.
Lee took over from Yoon and replaced Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, who had himself been ousted just weeks before. Acting president before Han was restored in March was Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.
