
South Korea election: The leading candidates, key dates and top issues
Voters will be hoping to restore political stability after months of turmoil.
The election aims to fill the power vacuum left by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law.
In this single-round election, the candidate with the most votes will be declared the winner and serve a five-year term.
Results are expected on the evening of Tuesday, 3 June or early on Wednesday, 4 June.
Here's what you need to know about the leading candidates, key dates, and other important details.
Leading candidates
The top three candidates based on a Gallup Korea poll a week ago were the liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, with 49 per cent public support, followed by his main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party with 35 per cent and another conservative candidate, New Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok, on 11 per cent.
All of the candidates remaining in the race are men, with no women in the final lineup for the first time since 2007, according to the National Election Commission (NEC). South Korea has only had one female leader, Park Geun-hye.
One of the six candidates, independent Hwang Kyo-ahn, quit the race on Sunday to back Mr Kim, media reports said.
The youngest candidate is Lee Jun-seok, who is 40, and the oldest is Kim Moon-soo at 73.
Number and makeup of voters
There are 44.39 million eligible voters, with women accounting for 50.5 per cent of voters, according to data on the electoral roll from the interior ministry.
South Korea is one of the world's fastest ageing societies and the number of voters aged above 60 accounts for about a third of the electorate, outstripping the 28 per cent share of those in their 20s and 30s.
Gyeonggi Province is home to the largest number of voters, accounting for 26.4 per cent, followed by Seoul at 18.7 per cent and Busan at 6.5 per cent.
A total of 205,268 people overseas voted between 20-25 May in 118 countries, the NEC said.
Election security
South Korea's acting President Lee Ju-ho has said the government was "transparently disclosing the entire process of the presidential election", according to his office.
The National Election Commission will air CCTV surveillance footage of rooms storing ballots from early voting, with their entrances sealed before counting starts and transported ballots given police escorts, Lee said.
After votes are cast, ballots will be initially sorted by machines and then election workers will count them, the NEC said.
Election schedule
The official election campaign is relatively short in South Korea in a bid to contain costs. It started on 12 May.
There were 3,568 polling stations across the country open for early voting that was allowed between 29-30 May. Eligible voters could cast their ballots at any of the polling stations without pre-registration between 6am and 6pm.
Turnout for early voting has generally increased over the years, with more than a third voting early in recent presidential elections.
In the latest election, 15.4 million, or 34.74 per cent of the total, voted during early ballots between 29-30 May, compared to the 2022 election's proportion of 36.9 per cent.
Election day on 3 June is a public holiday and voting will run from 6am until 8pm with an indication of the results likely to start emerging that evening or early the next day.
On 4 June, the National Election Commission is expected to verify the results and the inauguration of the new president will be held.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
10 minutes ago
- BBC News
Trump calls on Thailand and Cambodia to cease fire and talk trade
Donald Trump said on Saturday he had held talks with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, as the two countries sought an "immediate ceasefire" following border the beginning of a private visit to his Scottish golf courses, the US president wrote on Truth Social that both nations "have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!".He added that he looked forward to resuming trade talks with Cambodia and Thailand though it wasn't appropriate to hold such discussions until the "fighting STOPS".At least 33 soldiers and civilians have been killed while thousands of Thai and Cambodian nationals have been displaced since fighting broke out on 24 July. Trump's intervention emerged a week before US tariffs on Cambodia and Thailand are due to come into force. From 1 August, businesses in the US shipping in goods from Thailand or Cambodia will have to pay a 36% tax unless an agreement can be reached before then. Earlier on Saturday, Cambodia had already called for "immediate" ceasefire with Sangiampongsa, Thailand's foreign minister, said its neighbour needed to show "genuine sincerity in ending the conflict" for talks to teeing off at his luxury resort Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire, the US president said that he had spoken to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai."When all is done, and peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Trump wrote.


The Guardian
40 minutes ago
- The Guardian
The bitter feud fuelling the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia
The dispute over Thailand and Cambodia's contested border, which dates back more than a century to disagreements over colonial-era maps, has broken into conflict before. But the most recent clashes, which erupted on Thursday, have been fuelled by another factor: a bitter feud between two powerful political patriarchs. Hun Sen, 72, and Thaksin Shinawatra, 76, former leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, were once such close friends they reportedly called one another brothers. Hun Sen has, over the years, supported Thaksin's family during their long-running power struggle with Thailand's military. Thaksin and his sister Yingluck stayed at Hun Sen's home after they were ousted from power, while Hun Sen appointed Thaksin an economic adviser to the Cambodian government. Thaksin frequently visited Cambodia, and Hun Sen was the first foreign guest to see the former Thai leader after he returned home after more than 15 years in self-imposed exile. But relations have broken down spectacularly over recent months. The exact reasons for their feud are unclear, but analysts say it has created an additional layer of volatility that is exacerbating deadly clashes on the neighbouring countries' border. Hun Sen and Thaksin are no longer in office in their respective countries, but both remain powerful. Hun Sen ruled for almost 40 years until 2003, when his eldest son Hun Manet became prime minister after running virtually uncontested in a sham election. Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra became prime minister last year. The extent of their falling out became clear last month, when Hun Sen leaked a recording of a phone conversation between himself and Paetongtarn. In the call, which was about the border dispute, Paetongtarn called Hun Sen 'uncle' and told him if there was anything he wanted, she would 'take care of it'. She also made disparaging comments about a senior Thai military commander. The leaked recording caused uproar in Thailand. Critics accused her of kowtowing to Cambodia, putting her family connections before the country's national interests. She was suspended from office by the constitutional court in July pending an investigation into ethical violations. It's not clear why Hun Sen chose to turn on his former friends. He has accused Thaksin of betrayal and threatened to reveal further sensitive information about the Shinawatras. 'I never imagined someone so close could act this way,' Thaksin said later, declaring their friendship over. Some analysts say Hun Sen may be trying to whip up nationalism domestically to increase support for his son, Hun Manet. Others suggest Hun Sen has been angered by Thailand's efforts to crackdown on so-called 'scam compounds' where trafficked workers are held and forced to target people around the world with online scams. This form of lucrative criminal activity has proliferated in the region over recent years, especially in Cambodia. 'The popular narrative in Thailand is that the two men may have had some kind of personal dealings behind the scenes that did not go according to plan and the fallout has spilled over into the realm of national interest,' adds Tita Sanglee, associate fellow with ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Whatever his motivations, Hun Sen has succeeded in damaging Thaksin's position, exploiting divisions between his family and the military, and creating a power vacuum in Thailand. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Hun Sen, meanwhile, 'holds near absolute control in Cambodia', adds Tita. He has stamped out virtually all opposition voices and independent media. 'When he chooses to take a strong stance, militarily or politically, it has immediate and direct consequences.' On Thursday night, Thaksin said he had thanked countries that had offered to mediate the border dispute, but would like to wait, adding: 'We need to let the Thai military do their job, and first teach this cunning Hun Sen a lesson.' Given Thaksin's weakened position, he may not have a choice but to let the military take the lead. Last week Thailand downgraded it diplomatic relations with Cambodia, recalling its ambassador, and saying it would expel the country's envoy in Bangkok. Thaksin has denied the families' feud was the cause of the clashes. However awkward questions about his friend turned foe are likely to continue. As he visited communities sheltering from the conflict in Ubon Ratchathani, in northeastern Thailand, a woman confronted him: 'You're Hun Sen's friend, aren't you? Is he your friend? Why do you allow Cambodia to shoot Thai people?' Solving territorial disagreements is difficult in any context, said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, professor at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Kyoto University. 'No country would like to sacrifice any inch of sovereignty,' he said. But the personal conflict between Hun Sen and Thaksin has, he added, made their countries' dispute even more unpredictable.


The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Trump says he is pushing for ceasefire to end Thailand and Cambodia's border conflict
Donald Trump has called for a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand as the fighting along the border between the two countries continued into a third day. The US president said he had spoken to Cambodia's prime minister, Hun Manet, and was in the process of calling Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, to end the war 'which is currently raging.' He posted on his social media platform Truth Social: 'Just spoke to the Prime Minister of Cambodia relative to stopping the War with Thailand. I am calling the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, right now, to likewise request a Ceasefire, and END to the War, which is currently raging. 'We happen to be, by coincidence, currently dealing on Trade with both Countries, but do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting — And I have told them so! The call with Thailand is being made momentarily. 'The call with Cambodia has ended, but expect to call back regarding War stoppage and Ceasefire based on what Thailand has to say. 'I am trying to simplify a complex situation! Many people are being killed in this War, but it very much reminds me of the Conflict between Pakistan and India, which was brought to a successful halt.' Not long after, the US president – currently golfing in Scotland – shared an update to confirm that the Mr Wechayachai also wanted an immediate ceasefire. 'I have just spoken to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, and it was a very good conversation. Thailand, like Cambodia, wants to have an immediate Ceasefire, and PEACE. 'I am now going to relay that message back to the Prime Minister of Cambodia. After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seems to be a natural. We will soon see!' At least 33 people have died and more than 168,000 have been displaced by the border clashes. Artillery fire and gunshots were reported near several border villages, expanding the area of the fighting that flared again Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Officials from both sides of the border have claimed to have acted in retaliation. The UN has placed pressure on the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to defuse the situation between its two members. During an emergency meeting on Friday, members of the UN Security Council called for de-escalation and urged ASEAN to mediate a peaceful solution. The 500-mile frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but previous confrontations have been limited and brief. Current tensions rose after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation in May that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. Both sides have employed rocket and artillery attacks, and a Thai military spokesperson confirmed cluster munitions could be used 'when necessary' after Cambodia claimed the internationally prohibited weapons were being deployed. Human rights advocates have urged the UN Security Council and concerned governments to press the Thai and Cambodian governments to abide by international humanitarian law, with Human Rights Watch condemning what it has alleged is the use of cluster munitions in populated areas. Neither country is party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans the use of the weapon in such areas.