South Korea will hold a presidential election on 3 June, its acting leader has said, after the country’s constitutional court removed Yoon Suk Yeol from the presidency.
Yoon was impeached by parliament in December for his shock martial law declaration. The court upheld his impeachment on 4 April, paving the way for a snap election within 60 days.
Performing president Han Duck-soo made the announcement regarding the election day on Tuesday, stating that the nation needed to “quickly cure from the wounds” and move “upward and forth.”
Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged South Korea deep into political uncertainty and highlighted deep divisions in its society.
” I sincerely apologize for causing confusion and worries the people over the past four weeks, and for having to deal with this unfortunate situation of a political vacancy,” Han said.
When Yoon declared martial law, he cited risks from “anti-state makes” and North Korea. But, it quickly became clear that his decision was spurred by his own private social problems rather than by external threats.
He has been charged separately with insurrection before a criminal court.
Several politicians have indicated their candidacy for president, including labour secretary Kim Moon-soo, who resigned on Tuesday to release his plan.
Ahn Cheol-soo, a senator from the judgement People Power Party who ran in the last three national elections, has even thrown his hat in the ring.
However, Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader, is currently the frontrunner, who lost to Yoon in the most competitive contest the nation had ever seen in 2022. Lee received a 34 % approval rating in a Gallup poll last month, which was low.
Yoon is leaving behind a divided South Korea. While martial law has angered much of the country, with thousands taking to the streets calling for his removal, Yoon’s supporters have grown bolder and more extreme.
South Korea is also facing new financial challenges as it emerges from its political crisis as a result of the sweeping tariffs that US President Donald Trump has announced.
Officials claim they are pursuing negotiations with the Trump administration and that South Korea is subject to a 25 % tax on imports to the US.