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Al Arabiya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
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.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Regionalism still a powerful force in South Korea as it votes for its next president, say experts
BUSAN / GWANGJU: A record number of South Koreans cast their ballots in early voting on Thursday (May 29) and Friday for the upcoming presidential election, with overseas voting figures also reaching a historic high. The snap poll was triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last December, which led to months of political turmoil and his impeachment. Election day is set for next Tuesday. All major polls have placed opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung as the clear front-runner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing that 49 per cent of respondents viewed the liberal as the best candidate. Trailing behind him is conservative former labour minister Kim Moon-soo from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) – Mr Yoon's former party – at 35 per cent. As South Korea chooses its next leader, experts said regionalism has eased in the country but remains a powerful force, especially in the south where political divides are deepest. Regionalism refers to a political ideology that favours a region of a country to be more important than the whole. 'Although it's declined compared to the past, especially in places like Busan and South Gyeongsang, it still lingers – particularly in regions like Daegu and North Gyeongsang where support for (PPP) remains strong,' said political science and diplomacy professor Lee Jae-mook from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. HOW IS REGIONALISM PLAYING A PART? Most of South Korea's presidents hail from Gyeongsang, where military dictator Park Chung-hee – who ruled the country with an iron fist for 18 years – was born. The former leader, who seized power in a coup in 1961, is credited with launching South Korea's economic miracle. Seoul, as well as Gyeongsang where South Korea's second-largest city Busan is located, grew rapidly under his leadership, with major industrial hubs being built in Gyeongsang. But other areas, especially South Jeolla province, remained underdeveloped and largely agricultural. This widened the country's regional divide which persists today. Many South Koreans agree that such uneven economic development under its past leaders is one of the key reasons why Jeolla, known to be a liberal stronghold, has a long-standing rivalry with Gyeongsang, a conservative-leaning area. Prof Lee noted that the sense of regionalism is especially deep in Daegu city in Gyeongsang, also known as Gyeongbuk – the hometown of former President Park Geun-hye, who is also the daughter of Mr Park Chung-hee. "People in Daegu and Gyeongbuk remain loyal to the conservatives, especially after two of the (conservative) presidents – Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk Yeol – were impeached,' he added. 'When your side's presidents are impeached twice in a row, it strengthens your resolve to defend your political base. That's why these divides are hard to overcome.' The professor said this is also why front-running candidate Mr Lee began his presidential campaign in Gyeongsang. His conservative rival is seen as having an advantage there. Mr Lee's approval rate in North Gyeongsang stands at about 42 per cent, according to recent polls. But separate surveys show that his support in South Gyeongsang has significantly increased, hovering at about 46 per cent in cities like Busan and Ulsan, slightly ahead of his PPP rival's 42 per cent. While residents whom CNA spoke to were divided on who to vote for, some experts said support for conservatives was shaken after Mr Yoon's failed martial law declaration. MEMORIES OF MASSACRE IN LIBERAL JEOLLA Over in Jeolla, experts noted how Mr Yoon's ill-fated effort to impose military rule stirred up dark memories of a brutal fight for democracy decades ago. The southernmost province in South Korea has been a strong supporter of the liberal bloc, especially after troops were sent in to quell protesters in what is now known as the May 18 massacre, or the Gwangju uprising in 1980. Since then, conservative presidential candidates have consistently failed to win votes in Gwangju and the broader Jeolla region – and this is likely to be the case in next week's polls. Prof Lee said: 'It's similar to the way Korean-Japanese relations are. Apologies need to be genuine. No matter how much Japan apologises (for the Japanese colonisation of the Korean peninsula), Koreans often feel it's not sincere enough." 'In the same way, people from Honam (Jeolla region) don't feel that conservative parties have made genuine apologies for past injustices.' Hundreds of people were tortured and killed during the Gwangju uprising, which began a day after martial law was extended by military general Chun Doo-hwan. He had taken power of the country after leading a coup on Dec 12, 1979, following the assassination of then-President Park Chung-hee. The massacre accelerated South Korea's transition to democracy about seven years later. Many in Gwangju told CNA this was why they could not believe their eyes when they watched Mr Yoon declare martial law on television on Dec 3 last year. 'I was overwhelmed, and I had nowhere to express my anger. It was just so absurd and infuriating … I remember seeing bodies covered with blankets on carts being moved through alleys and later in the city,' recounted a Gwangju resident. Another resident, Madam Kim Gil-Ja, said she immediately thought of the uprising when Mr Yoon made the declaration. Her son Moon Jae-hak was one of the youngest victims of the massacre. The 17-year-old was killed on the last day of the uprising during a pre-dawn assault on the South Jeolla provincial government building – the centre of protests against military rule. Mdm Kim said that when she saw troops break the windows of the National Assembly building in Seoul last year and storm inside, she thought to herself: 'This country is in chaos.' 'If I lived closer to Seoul, I would have gone to the National Assembly myself,' she told CNA. At this year's May 18 commemoration, most of the country's presidential hopefuls, including Mr Lee, were present. But PPP's candidate Kim did not turn up after organisers said he was not welcome. Recent polls show Mr Lee with nearly 80 per cent support in Jeolla, including Gwangju, while Mr Kim trails far behind with just 4 per cent. While 50 years have passed since the Gwangju massacre, the wounds remain deep. Whether they will ever fully heal – and whether the people in Jeolla will one day place their trust in a conservative leader – remains uncertain as the country heads to the ballot box.
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
How regionalism is shaping politics in South Korea as it gears up for snap presidential election
BUSAN / GWANGJU: A record number of South Koreans cast their ballots in early voting on Thursday (May 29) and Friday for the upcoming presidential election, with overseas voting figures also reaching a historic high. The snap poll was triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last December, which led to months of political turmoil and his impeachment. Election day is set for next Tuesday. All major polls have placed opposition Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung as the clear front-runner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing that 49 per cent of respondents viewed the liberal as the best candidate. Trailing behind him is conservative former labour minister Kim Moon-soo from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) – Mr Yoon's former party – at 35 per cent. As South Korea chooses its next leader, experts said regionalism has eased in the country but remains a powerful force, especially in the south where political divides are deepest. Regionalism refers to a political ideology that favours a region of a country to be more important than the whole. 'Although it's declined compared to the past, especially in places like Busan and South Gyeongsang, it still lingers – particularly in regions like Daegu and North Gyeongsang where support for (PPP) remains strong,' said political science and diplomacy professor Lee Jae-mook from the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. HOW IS REGIONALISM PLAYING A PART? Most of South Korea's presidents hail from Gyeongsang, where military dictator Park Chung-hee – who ruled the country with an iron fist for 18 years – was born. The former leader, who seized power in a coup in 1961, is credited with launching South Korea's economic miracle. Seoul, as well as Gyeongsang where South Korea's second-largest city Busan is located, grew rapidly under his leadership, with major industrial hubs being built in Gyeongsang. But other areas, especially South Jeolla province, remained underdeveloped and largely agricultural. This widened the country's regional divide which persists today. Many South Koreans agree that such uneven economic development under its past leaders is one of the key reasons why Jeolla, known to be a liberal stronghold, has a long-standing rivalry with Gyeongsang, a conservative-leaning area. Prof Lee noted that the sense of regionalism is especially deep in Daegu city in Gyeongsang, also known as Gyeongbuk – the hometown of former President Park Geun-hye, who is also the daughter of Mr Park Chung-hee. "People in Daegu and Gyeongbuk remain loyal to the conservatives, especially after two of the (conservative) presidents – Park Geun-hye and Yoon Suk Yeol – were impeached,' he added. 'When your side's presidents are impeached twice in a row, it strengthens your resolve to defend your political base. That's why these divides are hard to overcome.' The professor said this is also why front-running candidate Mr Lee began his presidential campaign in Gyeongsang. His conservative rival is seen as having an advantage there. Mr Lee's approval rate in North Gyeongsang stands at about 42 per cent, according to recent polls. But separate surveys show that his support in South Gyeongsang has significantly increased, hovering at about 46 per cent in cities like Busan and Ulsan, slightly ahead of his PPP rival's 42 per cent. While residents whom CNA spoke to were divided on who to vote for, some experts said support for conservatives was shaken after Mr Yoon's failed martial law declaration. MEMORIES OF MASSACRE IN LIBERAL JEOLLA Over in Jeolla, experts noted how Mr Yoon's ill-fated effort to impose military rule stirred up dark memories of a brutal fight for democracy decades ago. The southernmost province in South Korea has been a strong supporter of the liberal bloc, especially after troops were sent in to quell protesters in what is now known as the May 18 massacre, or the Gwangju uprising in 1980. Since then, conservative presidential candidates have consistently failed to win votes in Gwangju and the broader Jeolla region – and this is likely to be the case in next week's polls. Prof Lee said: 'It's similar to the way Korean-Japanese relations are. Apologies need to be genuine. No matter how much Japan apologises (for the Japanese colonisation of the Korean peninsula), Koreans often feel it's not sincere enough." 'In the same way, people from Honam (Jeolla region) don't feel that conservative parties have made genuine apologies for past injustices.' Hundreds of people were tortured and killed during the Gwangju uprising, which began a day after martial law was extended by military general Chun Doo-hwan. He had taken power of the country after leading a coup on Dec 12, 1979, following the assassination of then-President Park Chung-hee. The massacre accelerated South Korea's transition to democracy about seven years later. Many in Gwangju told CNA this was why they could not believe their eyes when they watched Mr Yoon declare martial law on television on Dec 3 last year. 'I was overwhelmed, and I had nowhere to express my anger. It was just so absurd and infuriating … I remember seeing bodies covered with blankets on carts being moved through alleys and later in the city,' recounted a Gwangju resident. Another resident, Madam Kim Gil-Ja, said she immediately thought of the uprising when Mr Yoon made the declaration. Her son Moon Jae-hak was one of the youngest victims of the massacre. The 17-year-old was killed on the last day of the uprising during a pre-dawn assault on the South Jeolla provincial government building – the centre of protests against military rule. Mdm Kim said that when she saw troops break the windows of the National Assembly building in Seoul last year and storm inside, she thought to herself: 'This country is in chaos.' 'If I lived closer to Seoul, I would have gone to the National Assembly myself,' she told CNA. At this year's May 18 commemoration, most of the country's presidential hopefuls, including Mr Lee, were present. But PPP's candidate Kim did not turn up after organisers said he was not welcome. Recent polls show Mr Lee with nearly 80 per cent support in Jeolla, including Gwangju, while Mr Kim trails far behind with just 4 per cent. While 50 years have passed since the Gwangju massacre, the wounds remain deep. Whether they will ever fully heal – and whether the people in Jeolla will one day place their trust in a conservative leader – remains uncertain as the country heads to the ballot box.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
South Koreans begin early voting in presidential poll
Democratic Party's candidate Lee Jae-myung (second from right) casts his ballot alongside early voters at a polling station in Seoul. (AP pic) SEOUL : Early voting in South Korea's presidential elections kicked off on Thursday, with both main candidates set to cast ballots in a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk-yeol's ill-fated effort to suspend civilian rule last year. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear frontrunner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49% of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Trailing behind him is conservative ex-labour minister Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party – Yoon's former party – at 35%. While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on Thursday and Friday – part of an initiative introduce in 2013 to help those unable to cast ballots on polling day or planning to travel. South Koreans have in recent years turned out in larger and larger numbers for early voting, with 37% casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election. Voting began at 6am (2100 GMT Wednesday) for twelve hours, taking place again on Friday. According to the National Election Commission, as of 9am (0000 GMT) the early voting turnout rate was 3.55%, the highest record yet for that time in South Korean election history. Lee, of the Democratic Party, is expected to vote in the capital Seoul on Thursday morning. 'Some say power comes from the barrel of a gun, but I believe a vote is more powerful than a bullet,' he told a rally on Wednesday. According to a Gallup poll, more than half of Lee's supporters said they planned to vote early, compared to just 16% of Kim's supporters. Kim has said he will cast his vote in Incheon, west of Seoul, with his campaign framing it as 'the beginning of a dramatic turnaround', a nod to General Douglas MacArthur's landing there during the Korean War. Kim's decision to vote early has surprised many on the right, where conspiracy theories about electoral fraud –- particularly during early voting –- are rife. The 73-year-old however reassured his supporters that there is 'nothing to worry about.' 'If you hesitate to vote early and end up missing the main election, it would be a major loss,' said Kim on Wednesday. 'Our party will mobilise all its resources to ensure strict monitoring and oversight of early voting,' he said. 'So please don't worry and take part in it,' he said. Conservative candidate Kim shot to public attention in the aftermath of Yoon's martial law debacle, when he declined to bow in apology to the public for failing to prevent the suspension of civilian rule. In contrast, lawyer-turned-politician Lee played a central role in stopping the push to suspect civilian rule, live-streaming his frantic drive to parliament and his scramble over the perimeter fence as he and other lawmakers raced to vote down the decree. He has since vowed to 'bring insurrection elements to justice' if elected president.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
S. Korea's liberal candidate Lee holds clear lead a week before presidential vote
Democratic Party's presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung speaks during a presidential election campaign in Incheon. (AP pic) SEOUL : South Korea's liberal frontrunner for president Lee Jae-myung was leading his main conservative rival Kim Moon-soo by more than 10 percentage points in an opinion poll issued on Tuesday, though the race had tightened a week ahead of the election. The deeply polarised country holds a snap election on June 3 to pick a successor to ousted leader Yoon Suk-yeol, whose brief martial law imposition heightened long-simmering political disputes and sparked massive nationwide protests. The next leader will have to mend the reputation of a country that transitioned from dictatorship to a democratic success story in the 1980s while spurring stalled growth, managing uncertain US trade policies and dealing with nuclear-armed North Korea. The Democratic Party candidate Lee, who has advocated using fiscal policy to support the economy and bringing to justice anyone involved in Yoon's botched attempt to declare martial law in December, had 49% public support against Kim of the People Power Party with 35%, the Gallup Korea poll showed. Kim has eroded what was a more than 20 percentage point gap with Lee at the start of the campaign on May 12, but has failed to convince another conservative candidate – New Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok – to drop out and back him to improve his chances. Yoon was ousted on April 4 by the constitutional court after he was impeached and is on trial on insurrection charges accused of trying to arrest Lee and others who repeatedly clashed with him while in office. Third-party candidate Lee Jun-seok had 11%, according to the poll, which was one of the last major surveys to be published before a week-long blackout period that begins on Wednesday, when new polls are banned from publication by law. Asia's fourth-largest economy contracted in the first quarter as exports and consumption stalled, amid fears over the impact of Washington's aggressive tariffs and political turmoil at home. South Korea has been in trade talks with the US and is seeking a waiver from the tariffs President Donald Trump announced as his administration pressures Seoul to resolve a large trade imbalance between the partners. Kim, who was a hardline labour minister under Yoon, has tried to court centrist voters, pledging business-friendly policies including deregulation and investment incentives and a tough stance against North Korea. The conservative candidate Kim has also sought to widen his support base by uniting forces with the main third-party candidate Lee Jun-seok in a move that could make the race a virtual tie, but his overtures have been rebuffed so far. In a sign of divisions on the liberal side, however, former prime minister Lee Nak-yon, who represents a minority faction in the Democratic Party, announced his support for Kim on Tuesday, saying Lee's tendency to abuse majority power must be checked. Still, Lee was likely to maintain a comfortable lead in the absence of a major unexpected turn that could shake up the race, said Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Presidential Leadership Institute. 'It seems almost impossible at this point that (Lee) will make a fatal mistake or (Kim) will pull off something that will touch the heart of the whole country,' Choi said.
