South Korea will hold a presidential election on June 3, said its chief of actress, after the country’s constitutional court withdrew Yoon Suk Yeol from the presidency.
Yoon was dismissed by Parliament in December for his declaration of law on martial law. The court confirmed its dismissal on April 4, paving the way for an early election within 60 days.
The acting president, Han Duck-SOO, announced on Tuesday the date of the elections, saying that the country had to “heal quickly injuries” and go “up and forward”.
The declaration of the Martial Law of Yoon plunged into South Korea deeply in political uncertainty and highlighted the deep divisions of his society.
“I sincerely apologize for having caused confusion and concerns to the people in the past four months, and to have faced this unfortunate situation of a presidential vacancy,” said Han.
Yoon quoted the threats of “anti-state forces” and North Korea when he declared martial law. However, it quickly became clear that his decision had been stimulated not by external threats but by his own internal political problems.
He was charged separately from insurrection before a criminal court.
Some politicians have reported their intention to present themselves to the presidency, including the Minister of Labor, Kim Moon-Soo, who left his post on Tuesday to launch his campaign.
Ahn Cheol-Soo, a legislator of the ruling party of the leading people who disputed the last three presidential elections, also threw his hat in the ring.
But the current precursor is the head of the opposition Lee Jae-Myung, who in 2022 lost against Yoon in the tightest race that the country has seen. A Gallup survey held last week saw Lee with a 34%approval note.
Yoon leaves behind a divided South Korea. While martial law has angry a large part of the country, thousands of people going to the streets calling for its withdrawal, Yoon supporters have become more daring and more extreme.
While South Korea emerges from its political crisis, it also deals with new economic challenges in the form of radical prices announced by US President Donald Trump.
South Korea faces a price of 25% on exports to the United States, and the authorities say that they are looking for negotiations with the Trump administration.
