South Korea’s three-week poll race for presidential power

The candidates vying to lead South Korea kicked off their ­official campaigns on Monday ahead of a snap presidential election.

Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, campaigning in Seoul on Monday. Picture: AP

The candidates vying to lead South Korea kicked off their ­official campaigns on Monday ahead of a snap presidential election to replace the country’s impeached ex-leader, removed over a thwarted martial law bid.

On June 3, South Korean voters will pick a new president, ­offering closure after months of political turmoil triggered by Yoon Suk Yeol’s ill-fated effort to suspend civilian rule in December. For 22 days from Monday, the six officially registered presidential candidates will campaign across the country, accompanied by ear-splitting blasts of rewritten K-pop songs, with uniformed campaign staff performing choreographed dance moves.

The frontrunner by a large margin, polls show, is main opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, with 43 per cent support.

Hundreds of supporters gathered in central Seoul early on Monday chanting “Lee Jae-myung, President!” as Mr Lee kicked off his campaign.

Mr Lee, who narrowly lost in 2022 presidential elections to Mr Yoon, thanked all his supporters who “helped rebuild after the painful defeat”.

“I promise to repay their support with victory,” he told a cheering crowd. After a chaotic few days of party infighting, the country’s conservative People Power Party said on Sunday that former labour minister Kim Moon-soo would be its official candidate.

Mr Kim, who is polling at around 29 per cent support, started his official campaign at a market in Seoul. “I genuinely believe I must become a president for the people: a president for livelihoods, a president for the economy,” Mr Kim said on Monday morning. “I must be a president who ensures the people of South Korea live well.”

Mr Kim was picked by the party on May 3, only to have his nomination cancelled a week later as party bigwigs sought to replace him with ex-prime minister Han Duck-soo, who was seen as a stronger bet.

However, the party’s rank and file voted down the motion, meaning Mr Kim was reinstated as the nominee by Saturday night.

The turmoil has experts and PPP supporters warning that unless they get their act together, it will be an easy victory for Mr Lee in the upcoming elections.

“The PPP is just a mess. They are just self-destructing,” Lee Jung-ja, a 52-year-old self-described PPP voter said, as he watched Mr Lee kick off his campaign in central Seoul.

“Even if they unite, it still won’t be enough. All they’re doing is fighting with each other. I bet Lee Jae-myung is gloating.”

Mr Yoon, meanwhile, appeared in court on Monday for another hearing in his criminal trial as he defends himself against insurrection charges over his ­declaration of martial law.

At previous hearings, the ex-president has spoken for more than 90 minutes, denying that he had committed insurrection.

If found guilty, Mr Yoon would become the third South Korean president to be found guilty of insurrection – after two military leaders in connection with a 1979 coup.

For charges of insurrection, Mr Yoon could be sentenced to life in prison or the maximum penalty: the death sentence.

AFP