During a volatile moment in the nation’s political backdrop, the top contenders for the upcoming South Korean snap election conducted major campaigns on Sunday. With the impeachment and consequent removal of then-President Yoon Suk-yeol, who set off a political crisis with his declaration of martial law in December 2024, a snap election was triggered and is set to fall on June 3.
The declaration of this law, which suggested a military takeover with the suspension of civilian rule, triggered mass protests and riots during the law’s implementation before it was overturned by the National Assembly.
Despite the ex-president’s claims that his decision to impose martial law and the order for the detention of politicians in the opposition were due to the infiltration of the government by North Korean and anti-state forces, he was impeached that same month. However, the removal of ex-president Yoon Suk-yeol from office only occurred in April 2025.
With the snap election playing a crucial role in the future of South Korea and its ties with the world during a politically turbulent time, the emerging victor of the election, at the start of the five-year term, will be faced with the task of addressing the aftermath of the martial law decree as well as handling tariff negotiations with the US.
This year’s election holds six candidates on the ballots, including frontrunners Lee Jae-myung—a former human rights lawyer—of the Opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DP) and Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP).
Lee, who is back on track after losing to ex-president Yoon in 2022, has been campaigning with additional security measures, including a bulletproof vest and shields—a move that was criticized by Lee’s competitor, Kim. Following an attempted stabbing in January 2024 by an individual posing as a supporter, Lee implemented these precautions.
This year’s election is also set to break the record on early votes, with more than a quarter of eligible voters in South Korea allegedly having already voted ahead of the official vote on June 3.
With the country having faced a period of political chaos amid the imposition of martial law and its tumultuous aftermath, the upcoming results of the 2025 snap election will have a large impact on the political and economic future.
