Voting underway for South Korea's new Presidential Election

Millions of South Koreans headed to the polls Tuesday in a high-stakes snap presidential election, held in the wake of former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and removal from office.

Yoon, a conservative, now awaits trial on rebellion charges over his controversial imposition of martial law in December-an act that plunged the country into political turmoil and triggered today’s vote.

Early projections indicate liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung is on track for a decisive win, buoyed by widespread public anger toward the conservative establishment following Yoon’s downfall. His main rival, conservative Kim Moon Soo of the People Power Party, has struggled to attract moderate and swing voters amid internal party divisions over Yoon’s legacy.

With the presidency vacant and no transition period allowed under the law, the winner will be sworn in immediately on Wednesday for a single five-year term. The next president will face a raft of challenges, including a sluggish economy, trade tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump, and the ongoing nuclear threat from North Korea.

The election follows months of mass protests both for and against Yoon. His brief declaration of martial law in December led to widespread outrage, a legislative impeachment, and formal dismissal—leaving a leadership vacuum that disrupted diplomacy and roiled financial markets.

Lee, whose Democratic Party spearheaded the impeachment, framed the vote as a referendum on democracy. In a final campaign message, he urged voters to "deliver a stern and resolute judgement" against conservatives and pledged to revitalize the economy and unify the nation.

Kim, a former labor minister under Yoon, accused Lee of seeking unchecked power and warned that his presidency would be marked by political retaliation and authoritarianism. At a rally in Busan, Kim described Lee as aiming to create a “Hitler-like dictatorship.”

As of 2 p.m., over 13 million had cast their ballots, adding to the 15 million who voted during early voting, putting turnout at 65.5% out of 44.4 million eligible voters. Polls close at 8 p.m., with results expected by midnight.

Lee, known for his rise from child laborer to political heavyweight, has long positioned himself as a champion of economic equality and reform. While controversial for his populist style, he has reassured voters with pledges to pursue pragmatic diplomacy and maintain strong U.S. ties.

Despite past criticism of the U.S.-South Korea alliance, Lee has vowed to strengthen trilateral cooperation with Washington and Tokyo. Analysts say Lee is unlikely to take drastic foreign policy moves, given South Korea’s vulnerable financial markets and current trade friction with the U.S.

Tensions escalated Monday after Trump announced 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum imports beginning June 4. South Korean trade officials held an emergency meeting, and the central bank slashed the country’s 2025 growth forecast to 0.8%, citing political instability and rising protectionism.

North Korea remains largely unresponsive to outreach from both Seoul and Washington. Trump has signaled interest in renewing talks with Kim Jong Un, but Pyongyang appears more focused on deepening ties with Moscow.

Lee has acknowledged the slim prospects of an inter-Korean summit anytime soon but supports U.S.-led diplomatic efforts with North Korea, which he says could open the door to future joint projects. Experts believe Lee’s approach to Pyongyang will be measured, unlike the ambitious engagement pursued by former liberal President Moon Jae-in.

While Kim Moon Soo promises closer alignment with Washington, analysts say both candidates are likely to tread carefully on North Korea, given the unpredictable diplomatic landscape and limited influence Seoul currently holds.

As polls near closing, South Koreans await the results of what many see as a defining moment for the country’s democracy- one that will shape its domestic and international course for years to come.