South Koreans headed to the polls on Tuesday in a high-stakes snap presidential election that may reshape the country’s political landscape after months of turmoil triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Voting began as early as 6:00 a.m. across districts including Seoul’s Munrae-dong, where elderly citizens lined up before sunrise.
“We were the first to arrive with the hope our candidate gets elected, and because the presidential election is the most important,” said 80-year-old Yu Bun-dol, a conservative voter.
More than one-third of eligible voters had already cast their ballots during the early voting period last week, according to figures from the National Election Commission.
This election follows the unprecedented deployment of military troops to parliament by Yoon, a move widely condemned across the political spectrum. His impeachment has sparked a reckoning for the conservative People Power Party, which now faces internal divisions and dwindling public trust.
Polls suggest that Lee Jae-myung, the liberal candidate from the Democratic Party, is in a commanding lead. A recent Gallup Korea poll found that 49 percent of respondents supported Lee, while 35 percent backed conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo.
“The election is being treated as a referendum on the previous administration,” explained Kang Joo-hyun, professor of political science at Sookmyung Women’s University. “Many voters are not just selecting a new leader they are issuing a verdict on the abuse of power and the direction of the nation.”
Lee’s party currently controls the National Assembly, strengthening the liberal bloc’s momentum. Analysts suggest that a decisive win could give Lee the leverage needed to move swiftly on campaign promises, including democratic reforms and economic recovery.
Meanwhile, conservative politics continues to unravel. Kim Moon-soo’s failure to build a coalition with Reform Party contender Lee Jun-seok has raised alarms over a fragmented right-wing base. “Conservative politics was associated with competent governance, but it’s now hard to argue that they remain capable,” said Kang Won-taek of Seoul National University.
This election carries additional urgency due to its snap nature the winner will assume office immediately after results are certified. For many South Koreans exhausted by months of caretaker leadership, the need for political and economic stability is pressing.
In Gwangju, a city known for its liberal leanings, 65-year-old retired teacher Jung Se-yoon called the vote “a critical moment.” She added, “It will take far too long for the country to get back on its feet if we miss this chance.”
Observers expect high voter turnout, with attention shifting from who will win to how decisively they will do so.
“The focus won’t be on whether Lee will win, but on whether he will secure more than 50 percent of the vote,” said Bae Kang-hoon, co-founder of the political think tank Valid. “If he does, it would give him a significant boost in momentum to govern as president.”
