South Korea’s Presidential Candidates Intensify Campaigns Ahead of June 3 Vote

 South Korea’s snap presidential election, scheduled for June 3, 2025, has seen intense campaigning as candidates vie to replace impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose December 2024 impeachment over martial law allegations triggered the vote.

Leading contenders include Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung, a former Gyeonggi governor, and People Power Party’s Han Dong-hoon, ex-justice minister, alongside independents like Kim Kyung-soo, a pardoned former governor. By June 1, over 10 million of 44 million eligible voters had participated in early voting, reflecting high public engagement amid economic and security concerns.

Lee, polling at 45%, promises universal basic income and stronger North Korea diplomacy, leveraging his 2022 runner-up status. Han, at 38%, emphasizes law enforcement and economic deregulation, appealing to conservatives. Kim, a progressive, gains traction with youth for anti-corruption pledges. Campaigns have focused on Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square, with rallies drawing 50,000 attendees.

Issues like inflation, housing costs, and U.S.-China tensions dominate debates, with Lee criticizing Yoon’s “reckless” governance and Han vowing stability. The Constitutional Court’s ongoing review of Yoon’s impeachment adds urgency, as a ruling could reinstate him if the vote is annulled. With 60% turnout expected, the election will shape South Korea’s trajectory, with candidates urging unity to heal a polarized nation.