Latest news with #politicalTurmoil
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- General
- Al Jazeera
South Korea set to break early voting record as presidential election looms
South Korea is set to break a record in early voting as more than 12 million voters cast their ballot in advance of the country's upcoming presidential election. The figure for early voting – as of midday on Friday – represents more than a quarter of South Korea's 44.3 million eligible voters, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency. Early voting started on Thursday and will end on Friday, in advance of the official vote on Tuesday that will see South Koreans choose who will replace impeached President Yoon Sook-yeol. Yoon set off a political storm in South Korea in December when he briefly imposed martial law before the controversial move was overturned by the National Assembly. The ex-president claimed his decision to declare martial law and order the detention of opposition politicians was due to the government's infiltration by antistate and North Korean forces. Yoon was impeached the same month but was not removed from office until April when South Korea's constitutional court signed off on the impeachment vote. The last poll before the election placed the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung as the frontrunner with 42.9 percent support, followed by Kim Moon-soo from Yoon's conservative People Power Party with 36.8 percent, according to Yonhap. The candidates were trailed in a distant third place by the conservative New Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, who held just 10.3 percent of support. The vote is expected to bring an end to months of political turmoil in South Korea, where a polarised public has mobilised both for and against the impeached Yoon. South Korean police reported an uptick in vandalism of campaign materials and said this week they had apprehended at least 690 people over related incidents, according to Yonhap. Frontrunner Lee told the media he has been wearing a bulletproof vest and installed bulletproof glass at campaign rallies following threats on his life. Police also said this week they had counted 11 cases of social media posts threatening Lee, and one threatening to kill the New Reform Party's candidate.
CNA
2 days ago
- General
- CNA
How regionalism is shaping South Korea's presidential election
The first day of early voting in South Korea's presidential election saw a record turnout, with more than eight million ballots cast. The election comes after months of political turmoil, following a botched attempt by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law last year. While many voters are focused on candidates' profiles and policies, regionalism remains a powerful force, especially in the south, where political divides are sharpest. Lim Yun Suk heads to the area ahead of the June 3 vote to find out how regionalism is shaping South Korean politics.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Early voting starts for S. Korea election triggered by martial law
Early voting in South Korea's presidential elections began on Thursday, with both main candidates casting ballots in a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated suspension of civilian rule last year. South Koreans are desperate to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon's declaration of martial law, for which he was impeached. Since then the Asian democracy has been led by a revolving door of lame duck acting presidents as its export-driven economy grapples with trade turmoil abroad and sluggish demand at home. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear frontrunner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent 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 percent. While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on Thursday and Friday. South Koreans have in recent years turned out in growing numbers for early voting, with 37 percent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election. By midday the early voting turnout rate was 8.7 percent, the highest yet for that time in South Korean election history, according to Seoul's National Election Commission. The overseas voter turnout also reached a historic high, with four-fifths of 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots. "Given that this election was held in the wake of an impeachment and a martial law crisis, it naturally reflects the public's strong desire to express their thoughts about democracy in South Korea," Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP. - 'Vote more powerful than a bullet' - Voting in Seoul on Thursday morning, Lee told reporters: "There's a saying that a vote is more powerful than a bullet." "Even an insurrection can only truly be overcome through the people's participation at the ballot box," added Lee of the Democratic Party. According to a Gallup poll, more than half of his supporters said they planned to vote early, compared to just 16 percent 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. After early voting, Kim insisted he still has time to win the race. "We're closing the gap quickly, and at this pace, I'm confident we'll take the lead soon," he told reporters. 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. But whoever succeeds Yoon will have to grapple with a deepening economic downturn, some of the world's lowest birth rates and a soaring cost of living. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, Seoul's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Early voting starts for South Korea election triggered by martial law
SEOUL: Early voting in South Korea's presidential elections began on Thursday, with both main candidates casting ballots in a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated suspension of civilian rule last year. South Koreans are desperate to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon's declaration of martial law, for which he was impeached. Since then the Asian democracy has been led by a revolving door of lame duck acting presidents as its export-driven economy grapples with trade turmoil abroad and sluggish demand at home. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear frontrunner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Trailing behind him is conservative ex-labor minister Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party – Yoon's former party – at 35 percent. While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on Thursday and Friday. South Koreans have in recent years turned out in growing numbers for early voting, with 37 percent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election. By midday the early voting turnout rate was 8.7 percent, the highest yet for that time in South Korean election history, according to Seoul's National Election Commission. The overseas voter turnout also reached a historic high, with four-fifths of 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots. 'Given that this election was held in the wake of an impeachment and a martial law crisis, it naturally reflects the public's strong desire to express their thoughts about democracy in South Korea,' Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, said. Voting in Seoul on Thursday morning, Lee told reporters: 'There's a saying that a vote is more powerful than a bullet.' 'Even an insurrection can only truly be overcome through the people's participation at the ballot box,' added Lee of the Democratic Party. According to a Gallup poll, more than half of his supporters said they planned to vote early, compared to just 16 percent 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 mobilize 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. After early voting, Kim insisted he still has time to win the race. 'We're closing the gap quickly, and at this pace, I'm confident we'll take the lead soon,' he told reporters. 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. But whoever succeeds Yoon will have to grapple with a deepening economic downturn, some of the world's lowest birth rates and a soaring cost of living. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, Seoul's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner.
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Early voting starts for South Korea election triggered by martial law
Early voting in South Korea's presidential elections began on Thursday, with both main candidates casting ballots in a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated suspension of civilian rule last year. South Koreans are desperate to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon's declaration of martial law, for which he was impeached. Since then the Asian democracy has been led by a revolving door of lame duck acting presidents as its export-driven economy grapples with trade turmoil abroad and sluggish demand at home. All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear frontrunner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Trailing behind him is conservative ex-labor minister Kim Moon-soo of the ruling People Power Party—Yoon's former party—at 35 percent. While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on Thursday and Friday. South Koreans have in recent years turned out in growing numbers for early voting, with 37 percent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election. By midday the early voting turnout rate was 8.7 percent, the highest yet for that time in South Korean election history, according to Seoul's National Election Commission. The overseas voter turnout also reached a historic high, with four-fifths of 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots. 'Given that this election was held in the wake of an impeachment and a martial law crisis, it naturally reflects the public's strong desire to express their thoughts about democracy in South Korea,' Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP. Voting in Seoul on Thursday morning, Lee told reporters: 'There's a saying that a vote is more powerful than a bullet.' 'Even an insurrection can only truly be overcome through the people's participation at the ballot box,' added Lee of the Democratic Party. According to a Gallup poll, more than half of his supporters said they planned to vote early, compared to just 16 percent 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 mobilize 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. After early voting, Kim insisted he still has time to win the race. 'We're closing the gap quickly, and at this pace, I'm confident we'll take the lead soon,' he told reporters. 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 suspend 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. But whoever succeeds Yoon will have to grapple with a deepening economic downturn, some of the world's lowest birth rates and a soaring cost of living. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, Seoul's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner.
