S Korea candidates rally ahead of poll
SEOUL: South Korea's leading candidates held major campaign events Sunday, two days out from a snap election triggered by the former president's removal after his disastrous declaration of martial law. The June 3 election is set to cap months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol's brief suspension of civilian rule in December, for which he was impeached and removed from office. All major polls have put liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead in the presidential race, with the latest Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate.
Kim Moon-soo, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) - Yoon's former party—trailed Lee on 35 percent. The 60-year-old Lee began his rally in his hometown of Andong, 240 kilometers southeast of Seoul, telling his supporters he would seek to weaken the concentration of development in the capital region and boost areas away from Seoul. 'We should not simply seek a regional equal development strategy but rather provide more incentives for non-Seoul regions to support them more,' said Lee, wearing a bulletproof vest.
Lee has been campaigning with additional security measures, including bulletproof shields set up on the podium. He was stabbed in the neck in January 2024 in Busan by a man pretending to be a supporter, who later confessed that his intention was to kill Lee to prevent him from becoming president. At his rally in the conservative stronghold of Daegu, Lee said he would seek to improve ties with nuclear-armed North Korea through dialogue—hinting at a departure from the hawkish stance taken by impeached former president Yoon.
'Isn't real national strength about achieving peace through communication and finding a path to mutual prosperity, rather than pursuing confrontation?' he said. 'Competent national security means building peace in which there is no need to fight.' Relations between the two Koreas are at one of their lowest points in years, partly due to Yoon's hardline policies towards the North, which has bolstered ties with Moscow, including sending weapons and soldiers to help it fight Kyiv.
'Bulletproof measures'
The conservative People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo kicked off a rally on Sunday in Suwon by commenting on rival Lee's security measures. 'Look, I'm not wearing a bulletproof vest, right? But Lee is now even using bulletproof shields, feeling the vest isn't enough,' he said. 'With such bulletproof measures, Lee is poised to impose his own dictatorship and we must stop it,' Kim added. While most polls conducted before the blackout placed Kim a distant second, he expressed confidence in winning. 'I believe a major turnaround is currently taking place,' he said. South Korea has entered a so-called 'dark campaign period' during which the results of public opinion polls are barred from being disclosed, although pollsters are still conducting surveys.
Nearly 35 percent of voters have already cast their ballots—taking advantage of two days of early voting earlier last week, according to the National Election Commission. The winner of the June 3 election will take office the following day on a single five-year term, with no transition period. Front-runner Lee's likely victory could prove a 'a watershed moment in South Korean politics, ending six months of turbulence for democracy since former president Yoon's errant declaration of martial law', said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. Lee 'has proved to be a political survivor, after legal scandals, questionable opposition tactics, and even threats to his life,' he added. - AFP
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
S.Korean lawmakers approve special investigations into martial law and Yoon's wife
SEOUL, South Korea, June 5, (AP): South Korea's liberal-led legislature overwhelmingly passed bills Thursday to launch special investigations into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law in December and criminal allegations against his wife, targeting the ousted conservative a day after his liberal successor took office. The National Assembly also passed a bill to initiate an independent investigation into the 2023 drowning death of a marine during a search-and-rescue operation for flood victims, an incident the Democratic Party, which holds majority, accuses Yoon's government of covering up. The bills previously had been vetoed by Yoon during his term and by South Korea's caretaker government after his Dec 14 impeachment. President Lee Jae-myung, a Democrat who won Tuesday's snap election triggered by Yoon's removal from office, is expected to sign the bills. Many members of the conservative People Power Party refused to participate in the votes, which took place after one of the party's lawmakers accused the liberals of being driven by vendetta. Kim Yong-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said the conservatives were effectively defending Yoon's imposition of martial law by repeatedly opposing investigations into it. "That's why they failed to win public support and were rejected by voters in the presidential election,' he said in a speech. Lee, who drove the legislative efforts to impeach Yoon, pinned his presidential campaign on unity, promising not to target conservatives and calling for an end to political polarization. Yet Lee has vowed a full investigation into Yoon's martial law imposition and the allegations surrounding his wife, moves that could overshadow the new government and inflame tensions as Yoon faces a high-stakes rebellion trial carrying a possible death sentence. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office has indicted Yoon on charges accusing Yoon of masterminding a rebellion and enacting martial law as an illegal bid to seize the legislature and election offices and arrest political opponents. Liberals have insisted independent investigations into Yoon are essential, saying probes by prosecutors, police and an anti-corruption agency were inadequate and hampered by Yoon's refusal to cooperate. If Lee approves the independent investigations, special prosecutors could request the transfer of relevant cases to expand those investigations or direct public or military prosecutors to continue handling them under their supervision.
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
S Korea's leader vows to ‘heal wounds' with nuke-armed North
SEOUL: South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung vowed to reach out to the nuclear-armed North and 'heal wounds' as he took office Wednesday, after winning a snap election triggered by his predecessor's disastrous martial law declaration. South Korea's new center-left leader also warned that 'rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring' pose an existential threat to Asia's export-dependent fourth-largest economy, which has been buffeted by the global trade chaos sparked by US President Donald Trump. Lee scored a thumping victory over conservative Kim Moon-soo of the disgraced ex-president's former party. His term began immediately after the vote tally was certified Wednesday. Lee secured 49.4 percent of the vote, ahead of the 41.2 percent for Kim - who conceded, having been hampered by party infighting and a third-party candidate splitting the right-wing vote. Lee spoke to South Korea's top military commander and formally assumed operational control of the country's armed forces Wednesday, urging them to maintain 'readiness' in case of Pyongyang's provocations - but said in his first comments that he was ready to talk. 'We will heal the wounds of division and war and establish a future of peace and prosperity,' he said. 'No matter how costly, peace is better than war.' He said Seoul would 'deter North Korean nuclear and military provocations while opening communication channels and pursuing dialogue and cooperation to build peace on the Korean Peninsula'. Lee took office just hours before US tariffs on steel and aluminum were due to take effect, with the 50 percent levy hitting crucial South Korean exports. 'The rapid changes in the global order such as rising protectionism and supply chain restructuring pose a threat to our very survival,' Lee said. Markets reacted favorably to the election, with the benchmark KOSPI and the won rising Wednesday. 'Significant departure' Lee's comments on North Korea are a 'significant departure' from those of his hawkish predecessor as he did not immediately attach preconditions to dialogue, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification. It signals 'his desire to resolve disagreements through talks', Hong told AFP. Lee held a modest inauguration ceremony at the National Assembly - where Yoon deployed armed troops on the night he attempted to suspend civilian rule. Lee also announced a number of top appointments, including long-time adviser Kim Min-seok as prime minister and former unification minister Lee Jong-seok as spy chief. Lee's day is expected to end with a flurry of congratulatory phone calls from world leaders, with Trump likely to be the first on the line. Trump's top diplomat, Marco Rubio, was swift to offer his own congratulations and voice hope for working with Lee, who previously sought greater distance from the United States. Washington's alliance with Seoul was 'ironclad', the US secretary of state said, citing 'shared values and deep economic ties'. In a statement, the White House described the election as 'free and fair'. But it added: 'The United States remains concerned and opposed to Chinese interference and influence in democracies around the world'. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Lee, while emphasizing the 'great importance to the development of China-South Korea relations'. 'The Chinese side is willing to work with the South Korean side to ... firmly maintain the direction of good-neighborly friendship, adhere to the goal of mutual benefit and win-win,' Xi said, according to state media CCTV. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba also said he wanted to 'energize cooperation' between Seoul and Tokyo, South Korea's former colonial ruler. And India's Narendra Modi said on X he wanted to 'strengthen' ties with Seoul as he congratulated Lee. 'Positive direction' Lee comes to power with his party already holding a parliamentary majority - secure for the next three years - meaning he is likely to be able to get his legislative agenda done. On the streets of Seoul, South Koreans said they welcomed Lee's overtures to the North. 'Since our economy and many other aspects of society are closely linked to the state of inter-Korean relations, I hope we can take a long-term perspective and move in a more positive direction,' Choi Ki-ho, 55, told AFP. Lee Ju-yeon, a 42-year-old quasi-public sector employee, said they hoped Lee 'will devote himself to uniting our divided nation'. — AFP
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Kuwait Times
S Korea voters weigh political divide in partisan heartlands
Major polls suggest victory for Lee Jae-myung DAEGU: The top contenders in South Korea's presidential vote Tuesday have framed their campaigns as an existential fight for the country's soul, and whoever wins will have to unite a sharply-polarized society. The election was triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's disastrous declaration of martial law last year. All major polls suggest victory for Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party, with Kim Moon-soo of the right-wing People Power Party (PPP) trailing far behind. From the city of Daegu, for decades synonymous with conservatism, to Gwangju, the spiritual heartland of the left, AFP spoke to voters about where they stand and how the country's divide can be healed. Switching sides Lee Woo-hyun, an entertainment professional from Daegu and long-time conservative voter, told AFP the martial law fiasco 'really shook' him. 'When I talk to my parents and other senior citizens, I can see they are turning away from the red,' the 45-year-old said, referring to the symbolic color of the PPP. 'Some might wonder how one incident could completely change my stance,' Lee said. 'But for me, it did. A lot of people in their mid-40s feel the same way. They don't think what happened was right.' Generational divide Ko Seung-ju, an electrical engineering major, sees growing cracks in Daegu's traditional conservative support base. 'Younger voters are no longer likely to blindly support the conservatives,' Ko said. The Yoon administration's decision to cut the national research and development budget has hit science and engineering students hard, he said. 'I really hope that gets reinstated.' 'Balance is important' Kim Sung-gyun, 60, a former automotive industry worker, said he is undecided. He disagreed with Yoon's attempt to impose martial law, which he described as creating 'extreme chaos'. 'People's lives are already difficult enough.' But he expressed reservations about one side gaining unchecked power—pointing to the opposition's near two-thirds majority in parliament. 'Balance is important,' he said. He said he plans to vote for whoever he believes 'puts the people first', regardless of traditional regional loyalties. The unshaken Shopowner Kim remains unfazed by the martial law bid. 'Declaring martial law was wrong, but nothing actually happened afterwards so they should just move on,' said Kim, who declined to share his full name over privacy concerns. For the 69-year-old, the local economy is the primary concern. He said it was 'wiped out' by the Covid-19 pandemic and has never recovered. 'It's impossible to keep a business afloat—there's rent to pay, wages to cover and constant stress piling on.' A vote for democracy Lee Gwi-nye, 79, a lifelong resident of Gwangju, voiced firm support for the Democratic Party and its candidate Lee. 'Democracy lets us live freely and comfortably,' she said. 'But parties like the PPP, honestly, don't feel democratic at all.' To her, democracy means 'being able to live and act freely, with peace of mind'. 'History matters' Jung Se-yoon, 65, a retired teacher, said she doesn't believe in voting solely along party lines. But she vividly recalled a bloody 1980 crackdown in Gwangju by South Korea's former military regime which left hundreds dead or missing. 'Those experiences still resonate. That's why I believe history matters,' she said. The upcoming election must serve as a 'turning point'. 'It will take far too long for the country to get back on its feet if we miss this chance—and by then, we might fall too far behind,' Jung said. Beyond party lines Haylee Lee, an English teacher, urged fellow Gwangju residents to 'make a decision based on their own convictions' rather than fall into habitual partisan voting. What matters most to her is how much effort presidential hopefuls make to listen to the concerns of ordinary people. 'Many politicians come from privileged backgrounds,' she said. 'I wonder how well they actually listen to the voices of the middle class.' Pressure as a centrist Park Yeon-ok, 64, who works at a social enterprise in Gwangju, told AFP she often faces pressure when she identifies as a centrist. 'Many people immediately ask: 'So you're not supporting the Democratic Party? Then are you backing the People Power Party?' That kind of reaction is pretty common,' she said. In this election, Park sees PPP candidate Kim as someone capable of bringing about unity. 'The divisions run deep,' she said. 'I hope the next leader can help bridge those gaps.' — AFP
