- June 3 election marks first presidential vote after constitutional crisis
- Yoon Suk Yeol ousted via unprecedented parliamentary motion
- All major parties pledge anti-corruption reforms
- 38% voters undecided in latest polls
South Korea enters uncharted political territory as it prepares for its earliest-ever presidential election. The June 3 vote follows months of turmoil after President Yoon Suk Yeol became the first leader removed through a 169-136 parliamentary no-confidence motion. Constitutional scholars emphasize this election will test revised impeachment protocols enacted after Park Geun-hye's 2017 ouster.
Three main candidates have emerged from the chaos: Democratic Party reformist Lee Jae-myung, conservative People Power Party nominee Ahn Cheol-soo, and centrist alliance leader Kim Chong-in. Campaign finance disclosures reveal a 47% increase in small-donor contributions compared to 2022 elections, signaling heightened public engagement.
The election coincides with mounting economic pressures, as Q1 GDP growth slowed to 1.2% amid global supply chain disruptions. All candidates have pledged to prioritize semiconductor industry protections, with Lee promising $15 billion in tax incentives for domestic chip production.
Regional observers point to Taiwan's 2024 election as a comparative case study in crisis governance. Like Taiwan, South Korea faces geopolitical pressures while navigating democratic transitions. However, Seoul's unique challenge lies in balancing US-China relations while addressing domestic demands for political reform.
Analysts identify three key factors shaping voter sentiment: 1) Anti-corruption measures (62% priority in exit polls) 2) Housing market stabilization 3) Renewable energy transition timelines. Early voting data shows 22% youth participation - a 9% increase from 2022 levels.