South Korea is bracing for a presidential election on June 3, as announced by acting leader Han Duck-soo. This comes after the constitutional court's decision to remove Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached in December due to his controversial martial law declaration. Han stressed the need for the nation to “quickly heal from the wounds” and move "upward and forward."
Yoon's declaration of martial law triggered a wave of political instability and intensified societal divisions, as many citizens took to the streets to voice their discontent. He justified his actions by citing threats from "anti-state forces" and North Korea. However, it became evident that his martial law was more about navigating domestic political strife rather than actual external dangers.
Despite Yoon's challenges, several politicians are gearing up for the race, including former labor minister Kim Moon-soo and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who previously lost to Yoon in a nail-biting election. Polls show Lee leading the charge, boasting a 34% approval rate.
As the country confronts fresh economic hurdles, including new tariffs on exports to the US announced by President Trump, all eyes are on the upcoming election to see if South Korea can stabilize its political scene and address looming challenges.
