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Last Updated:June 01, 2025, 17:28 IST
Lee Jae-myung, 60, is the leading candidate from South Korea’s liberal Democratic Party. He used to work in a factory when he was a teen and then became a human rights lawyer.
Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jae-Myung are the key candidates for South Korea Elections (Credits: Reuters)
South Korea is set to vote on Tuesday for its next leader after almost half a year of political turmoil, uncertainty and division. The elections are important as the country has been dealing with a political crisis for months.
Many temporary leaders have come and gone during the impeachment trial of Yoon and an ongoing investigation into his abrupt and controversial attempt to seize power.
Meanwhile, the voting in South Korea will begin on Tuesday morning and a winner could be announced by Wednesday. Let’s take a look at the main candidates for the elections:
Lee Jae-Myung (Korea Democratic Party)
Lee Jae-myung, 60, is the leading candidate from South Korea’s liberal Democratic Party. He grew up in poverty, worked in a factory when he was a teen, and then became a human rights lawyer.
He has also served as a mayor, a governor, and a lawmaker. He narrowly lost the 2022 presidential race to Yoon.
In January 2024, Lee survived a stabbing during a public event. Later that year, on December 3, he helped lead a dramatic effort to overturn the martial law declared by Yoon.
Lee, during the campaign trail, has promised big political and economic changes that include limiting presidential power to declare martial law and allowing presidents to serve two four-year terms instead of just one five-year term.
Kim Moon-soo (People Power Party)
Kim, 73, is the conservative candidate backed by former president Yoon. During his youth days, he was a student protestor and was also jailed for it. Later, he became a labour minister and joined a conservative party.
His path to becoming the candidate wasn’t easy. The party first chose him, then replaced him, and finally picked him again after legal fights.
Kim says he wants to unite people and form a strong team to beat his rival, Lee.
His main promises include fixing politics and the justice system, making elections more fair, cutting taxes, supporting businesses, and investing in technology and nuclear energy.
Several independent and third-party candidates are also in the race, including Lee Jun-seok, a former leader of the PPP who launched his own conservative party, the New Reform Party, in 2024.
Location :South Korea
First Published:News world South Korea Votes Tuesday Amid Political Turmoil: Meet The Key Candidates
