With just two days to South Korea’s snap presidential election, leading candidates Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo held major rallies on Sunday, as the country prepares to close a turbulent political chapter.
The election, set for June 3, follows the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his controversial martial law declaration last December.
Liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung, polling ahead at 49% according to Gallup, launched his final leg of campaigning in his hometown of Andong. Lee emphasized his plan to shift development focus away from Seoul, promising greater support for regional economies. Wearing a bulletproof vest and surrounded by heightened security, he addressed thousands of supporters amid fears following a previous assassination attempt.
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The attack, which took place in January 2024, saw Lee stabbed in the neck during a campaign stop in Busan. The assailant, who posed as a supporter, admitted his intention was to prevent Lee from becoming president. Since then, Lee has campaigned with heavy security, including bulletproof shields at his events, a stark reminder of the risks tied to South Korea’s polarized political climate.
Conservative rival Kim Moon-soo, from the People Power Party, campaigned in Suwon, just outside Seoul, and took aim at Lee’s security measures. “He’s wearing bulletproof vests and using shields that shows you the kind of presidency he’s preparing for,” Kim said, suggesting Lee’s approach signaled authoritarian tendencies. Kim, polling at 35%, continues to trail despite support from Yoon’s conservative base.
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The snap election follows a period of intense political instability. Yoon’s suspension of democratic rule led to widespread protests and eventually his impeachment. Lee has positioned himself as a restorer of democratic values and regional equity, while Kim has campaigned on economic discipline and traditional conservative values.
According to the National Election Commission, nearly 35% of registered voters have already participated through early voting, highlighting the high stakes and public engagement in what is one of South Korea’s most consequential elections in recent memory.
