TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Korea will hold a general election on June 3, 2025. The announcement came from Acting President Han Duck-soo after the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Han stated that the chosen date provides sufficient time for political parties to prepare and for election logistics to run smoothly, including voter registration and ballot printing.
He emphasized the importance of allowing sufficient preparation time for a well-organized election, according to Al Jazeera on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
1. Post-Impeachment Vote
The upcoming election comes in the wake of President Yoon’s impeachment on December 3, 2024, for issuing decrees beyond constitutional limits. The move triggered widespread public anger, with critics accusing Yoon of reviving the country’s traumatic military past prior to 1987.
According to The Korea Herald, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment on April 4. The constitution mandates that a presidential election must be held within 60 days of the office being vacated. Authorities chose the latest possible date to allow for full preparation, mirroring the 2017 snap election held after Park Geun-hye's impeachment.
2. Compressed Campaign Period
This 21st presidential election will unfold under tight legal timelines. Candidate registration opened on April 4 and will close on May 11.
The official campaign period will run from May 12 until the day before the election. Civil servants intending to run must resign by May 4. Early voting is scheduled for May 29 and 30.
Unlike typical elections, the winner will immediately take office without a transition period. This adds pressure during a time of ongoing economic and diplomatic challenges.
3. Contenders and Competition
Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party has emerged as the leading contender. The former governor narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential race. However, ongoing legal allegations could threaten his campaign.
Rival parties are mobilizing their campaigns to win over voters still reeling from the political upheaval. Official candidate registration will determine the shape of the race moving forward.
4. Democratic Test Ahead
Before the election date was announced, the Democratic Party had urged Han to reveal the schedule and maintain neutrality.
"Han Duck-soo must be fair and not interfere in the political process," said Democratic Party Secretary General Kim Yoon Deok at a press conference in the National Assembly.
The National Election Commission has launched coordination meetings with 17 provinces to ensure a transparent and efficient election. A local election simulation held in early April served as a technical rehearsal for the national vote.
Yolanda Agne and Linda Lestari contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: South Korea Kicks off Presidential Campaigns with Lee Jae Myung as Frontrunner
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