South Koreans to rally for presidential hopefuls before vote
Supporters of South Korea's two leading presidential candidates were set to rally Saturday in Seoul, just days ahead of an election triggered by the former president's disastrous declaration of martial law.
Tuesday's vote caps months of political upheaval sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol's brief suspension of civilian rule in December, which led to his impeachment and removal from office.
Since then, the country has been led by a series of lame-duck acting presidents, even as its export-driven economy struggles with global trade turmoil and sluggish domestic demand.
Both frontrunner Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party and conservative challenger Kim Moon-soo have framed the election as a fight for the nation's future.
Organizers from both camps told police they expect tens of thousands of supporters to gather Saturday afternoon in central Gwanghwamun Square and the southern Seocho district.
More than a third of eligible voters have already cast their ballots during early voting, according to the National Election Commission. Overseas turnout hit a record high, with nearly 80 percent of the 1.97 million eligible expatriate voters participating last week.
All major polls show liberal Lee leading the race. A recent Gallup survey found 49 percent of respondents saw him as the best candidate, compared to 35 percent for Kim, who represents the ruling People Power Party — a party Yoon resigned from earlier this month.
Lee, a lawyer-turned-politician, has vowed to prosecute those responsible for the martial law declaration and told supporters the election was a vote for 'revolution.'
Kim, a former labor minister who gained notoriety for refusing to apologize for the attempt to suspend civilian rule, has promised to defend South Korea from 'extremist forces' seeking 'chaos.'
Whoever succeeds Yoon will face a deepening economic downturn, one of the world's lowest birth rates, and a soaring cost of living. The next president will also have to navigate rising tensions between the United States — South Korea's traditional security ally — and China, its largest trading partner.
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