Lee Jun-seok proves potential, but blamed for merger refusal

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, presidential candidate of the minor conservative New Reform Party, may have proven himself as a new political force in South Korea's conservative landscape, but he faces criticism for his refusal to merge candidacies with People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo. The merger between the youngest candidate in Korean history and Kim could have led to Lee Jae-myung's defeat, the conservatives believe. According to the National Election Commission, Kim and Lee secured 41.1 percent

Lee Jae-myung's power play: Outsider's climb to top

The presidential victory of Lee Jae-myung has been cast as a "win for those who are not part of the establishment, and outside the mainstream" by the Democratic Party of Korea. Lee's political journey that culminated with his being elected president has been rocky and drama-filled, to say the least. "It's not easy working for Lee Jae-myung. Things always seem to happen to him. But he is a guy who gets up every time," one of his close aides told The Korea Herald. At a campaign rally Saturday in D

From left to right to left again: S. Korea’s political pendulum swings again

Since South Korea’s democratization in 1987, power has swung back and forth between conservative and progressive forces with a certain rhythm — roughly every decade. These shifts have often been triggered by public discontent over corruption, economic crises, and leadership scandals. In more recent years, however, that rhythm has noticeably accelerated, signaling an era of increasingly unpredictable and chaotic politics. With conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office in April, an

Lee Jun-seok concedes, no regrets over refusal to merge campaigns with PPP's Kim

Rep. Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the minor conservative New Reform Party, accepted his third-place finish on Tuesday but said he had no regrets about not uniting candidacies with the People Power Party’s Kim Moon-soo. “If the current result stands, Lee Jae-myung will take office. Given the immense challenges of national unity and economic recovery, I hope he makes thoughtful and appropriate decisions,” Lee said at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, after exit polls were rel

South Korea’s new president to face stiff challenges under divided country

South Koreans went to the polls Tuesday to elect a new president, hoping to turn the page on months of political turmoil and deepening national division. The election, held nearly two years ahead of schedule, was triggered by the impeachment and subsequent removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose failed attempt to invoke martial law last year plunged the country into crisis. The vote also ends a 171-day leadership vacuum following Yoon’s suspension from power by parliament on December 14 and hi

Voter turnout exceeds 79%, highest in 28 years

More than 79 percent of eligible voters had cast their ballots by the time polls closed on Tuesday, marking the highest turnout since the 1997 presidential election, according to the National Election Commission. The polls were open between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Election Day — two hours longer than usual, as stipulated for early elections. Including last week's two days of early voting, 35,240,416 out of 44,391,871 eligible voters cast their ballots, amounting to 79.4 percent, the NEC reported. T

Korea votes for new leader amid hopes for end to months of political unrest

Exactly six months after the tense night of martial law on Dec. 3, South Koreans head to the polls today to elect a new president. Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. across the country and will close two hours later than usual at 8 p.m. due to the extraordinary nature of today's vote. The by-election was triggered by the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his attempt to invoke emergency military rule — an extraordinary measure last used in 1980 — led to the conservative leader’s

No win in sight, but minor candidates hang on

Minor presidential hopefuls including Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labor Party and Song Jin-ho, an independent, are set to appear on the final ballot in Tuesday’s election — despite polling in the low single digits and holding little prospect of victory. Kwon, an engineer-turned-human rights lawyer, is better known for his legal advocacy than for his political profile. Nicknamed the “street lawyer,” he has represented victims in some of South Korea’s most high-profile labor disputes and civi

Do you take this man? Wedding halls double as polling stations

With just a day left before the 21st presidential election, polling stations set up in unconventional locations — not the usual public schools and community centers — are drawing public interest. According to Article 147 of the Public Official Election Act, polling stations are to be primarily set up at schools, district offices and community centers for the convenience of voters. However, if publicly owned spaces are not available, they can be hosted by private facilities. During the parliament

Lee Jun-seok reaffirms no merger with PPP's Kim Moon-soo

One day ahead of South Korea’s presidential election, Rep. Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the minor New Reform Party, made clear Monday that he would not join forces with the ruling People Power Party’s Kim Moon-soo. Despite weeks of speculation and mounting calls for conservative unification, Lee declared that no merger would take place, and that he would stay in the race through the end. “Based on detailed polling and data analysis, Kim Moon-soo has already clearly lost,” Lee wrot

More than a vote: What June 3 election means to South Koreans

As South Korea heads to the polls for an earlier-than-expected presidential election on June 3, the nation stands at a political crossroads. The election comes just six months after former President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024 — a move that shocked the nation and the world, paralyzed institutions and triggered mass protests reminiscent of past democratic uprisings. Within weeks, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon, which was upheld by the Consti

[From the Scene] Lee Jae-myung rallies in key swing cities in countdown to election

CHEONGJU & DAEJEON, North Chungcheong Province -- Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, sought to win over voters in the battleground cities of Cheongju and Daejeon in North Chungcheong Province on Saturday, with just three days left until Election Day. In the past eight presidential elections since 1987, North Chungcheong Province, dubbed the barometer province, has accurately picked the winner. The last election was no exception. In 2022, the People P

Impeached ex-presidents rally behind People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo

Former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk Yeol — both once central figures in South Korea’s conservative bloc who were impeached and removed from office — made rare public gestures over the weekend in a bid to rally support for Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, just days ahead of Tuesday's election. Park, who was elected president in 2013 under the Saenuri Party — a predecessor of the People Power Party — visited a traditional market in Daegu on Saturday. It marke

Policy Watch: Lee Jae-myung promises shift to renewable energy with new ministry

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, announced Thursday he would establish a ministry for climate and energy if he becomes president. Minimizing Korea's reliance on nuclear power and pivoting to renewable energy has been one of Lee's main policy pledges. Calling climate change a "social justice issue," Lee said hazards such as wildfires and floods put the vulnerable at risk. Lee said the new ministry would "put South Korea on track to reach carbon neutralit

Policy Watch: Kim Moon-soo vows housing supply boost in Seoul

Kim Moon-soo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced Thursday he would increase the supply of housing in Seoul, the populous capital with an estimated 9.4 million people, if elected president. Kim said he would add around 250,000 housing units in Seoul over his term to ease the housing crisis by speeding up reconstruction projects around the city. Kim also said he would provide tax exemptions to owners of second or additional homes outside Seoul to reinvigorate the housi