Latest news with #politicalturmoil
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
South Koreans rally for presidential hopefuls days before vote
Thousands of supporters of South Korea's two leading presidential candidates rallied on Saturday in Seoul, days before a vote triggered by the ex-leader's disastrous declaration of martial law. Tuesday's election caps 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 placed liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Kim Moon-soo, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) that Yoon left this month, trailed behind at 35 percent. Organisers from both camps told police they expected tens of thousands of supporters to rally in Seoul on Saturday. In Seocho, in the south of the capital, Lee supporters gathered holding signs condemning Yoon's "insurrection". "I believe the outcome of the presidential election is already decided," Lee Kyung-joon, a Lee supporter, told AFP. "I came to today's rally to help condemn the forces involved in the martial law attempt," he added, referring to ex-president Yoon's political allies. Yoon is currently on trial for insurrection, and Kwon Oh-hyeok, one of the organisers of Saturday's rally, said a Lee victory in the June 3 vote was crucial to holding him accountable. "Isn't the People Power Party's decision to run in the snap election -- triggered by Yoon's removal from office -- an insult and a betrayal of the people?" Kwon told rally participants. "Fellow citizens, we must win by a landslide to deliver the justice this moment demands." On the other side of town, in Gwanghwamun Square, conservatives -- including supporters of disgraced ex-leader Yoon -- filled the streets holding signs that read "Yoon Again" and "Early voting is invalid!" Yoon's martial law attempt, which he claimed was necessary to "root out" pro–North Korean, "anti-state" forces, emboldened a wave of extreme supporters including far-right YouTubers and radical religious figures. Many have spread unverified content online, including allegations of Chinese espionage and fraud within South Korea's electoral system. That sentiment was on full display at Saturday's rally, where protesters called for the dissolution of the National Election Commission over a series of mishaps during the two-day early voting period this week. "People believe the root of all these problems lies with the National Election Commission, and that it should be held accountable," conservative protester Rhee Kang-san told AFP. - Deepening polarisation - Both frontrunner Lee of the liberal Democratic Party and conservative challenger Kim have cast the race as a battle for the soul of the country. More than a third of those eligible cast their ballots in early voting on Thursday and Friday, according to the election commission. Overseas voting reached a record high, with nearly four-fifths of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. Experts say that regardless of who wins, South Korea's polarisation is likely to deepen. If Lee wins, the conservatives "will do whatever it takes to undermine him and his government, whether their logic makes sense or not", political analyst Park Sang-byung told AFP. "Unless the PPP distances itself from Yoon's extremist base, it could turn to misinformation -- such as unfounded claims of election fraud -- to mobilise the right against Lee. That's a troubling prospect," he said. Whoever succeeds Yoon will also have to grapple with a worsening economic downturn, one of the world's lowest birth rates, the soaring cost of living and bellicose neighbour North Korea. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner. cdl/oho/pst
Arab News
12 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
South Koreans rally for presidential hopefuls days before vote
SEOUL: Thousands of supporters of South Korea's two leading presidential candidates rallied on Saturday in Seoul, days before a vote triggered by the ex-leader's disastrous declaration of martial law. Tuesday's election caps 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 placed liberal Lee Jae-myung well ahead in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate. Kim Moon-soo, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP) that Yoon left this month, trailed behind at 35 percent. Organizers from both camps told police they expected tens of thousands of supporters to rally in Seoul on Saturday. In Seocho, in the south of the capital, Lee supporters gathered holding signs condemning Yoon's 'insurrection.' 'I believe the outcome of the presidential election is already decided,' Lee Kyung-joon, a Lee supporter, told AFP. 'I came to today's rally to help condemn the forces involved in the martial law attempt,' he added, referring to ex-president Yoon's political allies. Yoon is currently on trial for insurrection, and Kwon Oh-hyeok, one of the organizers of Saturday's rally, said a Lee victory in the June 3 vote was crucial to holding him accountable. 'Isn't the People Power Party's decision to run in the snap election — triggered by Yoon's removal from office — an insult and a betrayal of the people?' Kwon told rally participants. 'Fellow citizens, we must win by a landslide to deliver the justice this moment demands.' On the other side of town, in Gwanghwamun Square, conservatives — including supporters of disgraced ex-leader Yoon — filled the streets holding signs that read 'Yoon Again' and 'Early voting is invalid!' Yoon's martial law attempt, which he claimed was necessary to 'root out' pro-North Korean, 'anti-state' forces, emboldened a wave of extreme supporters including far-right YouTubers and radical religious figures. Many have spread unverified content online, including allegations of Chinese espionage and fraud within South Korea's electoral system. That sentiment was on full display at Saturday's rally, where protesters called for the dissolution of the National Election Commission over a series of mishaps during the two-day early voting period this week. 'People believe the root of all these problems lies with the National Election Commission, and that it should be held accountable,' conservative protester Rhee Kang-san told AFP. Both frontrunner Lee of the liberal Democratic Party and conservative challenger Kim have cast the race as a battle for the soul of the country. More than a third of those eligible cast their ballots in early voting on Thursday and Friday, according to the election commission. Overseas voting reached a record high, with nearly four-fifths of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. Experts say that regardless of who wins, South Korea's polarization is likely to deepen. If Lee wins, the conservatives 'will do whatever it takes to undermine him and his government, whether their logic makes sense or not,' political analyst Park Sang-byung told AFP. 'Unless the PPP distances itself from Yoon's extremist base, it could turn to misinformation — such as unfounded claims of election fraud — to mobilize the right against Lee. That's a troubling prospect,' he said. Whoever succeeds Yoon will also have to grapple with a worsening economic downturn, one of the world's lowest birth rates, the soaring cost of living and bellicose neighbor North Korea. He will also have to navigate a mounting superpower standoff between the United States, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Record South Korean early voting in poll triggered by martial law
South Koreans lined up in record numbers to pick their president on Friday, joining lengthy queues to vote early in a poll triggered by the ex-leader's disastrous martial law declaration. The country is battling to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon Suk Yeol's suspension of civilian rule, for which he was impeached and removed from office. 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 at 35 percent is conservative ex-labour minister Kim Moon-soo, from the ruling People Power Party which Yoon left this month. While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early are allowed to do so on Thursday and Friday. A record 24.5 percent of 44.4 million registered voters had cast their ballot by 11:00 am (0200 GMT) Friday, the National Election Commission said. "I've never had to wait this long in line to early vote," said Park Seung-hee, who lives in Seoul's Jongno district. The 38-year-old told AFP she waited for "nearly an hour", but it was "worth it". "The martial law showed just how important it is to choose the right leader. And I think a lot of others feel the same way." Long lines at polling stations already prompted an apology from the National Election Commission, and a pledge to deploy more staff to ease overcrowding and reduce waiting times. "I think people need to vote with their head, not their heart," said Kim Min-gyu, a 28-year-old who lives in Seoul's Gangnam district. Overseas voting also reached a new high, with 79.5 percent of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. - 'Restore democracy' - Whoever succeeds Yoon will have to grapple with a deepening economic downturn, one 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, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner. But analysts see martial law as the defining issue in the presidential race. Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP the high turnout "naturally reflects the public's strong desire to restore democracy in South Korea". "Overseas Koreans... more than ever, felt compelled to make their voices heard through the ballot, driven by a sense that the very foundations of South Korea's democracy were being shaken," said Kang. Lee lost his 2022 bid for the presidency to Yoon by the narrowest margin in South Korean history, with one of the main debates becoming gender issues. The former school dropout rose to political stardom partly by highlighting his humble beginnings. He has vowed to "bring insurrection elements to justice" if elected president. Seoul National University political science professor Kang Won-taek warned, however, that South Korea's political woes were far from over. "There is a real possibility that the political turmoil and crises we've seen could re-emerge," said Kang. Lee has been a "central figure in the polarisation that has fuelled much of the country's political instability", he said.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
South Koreans vote early in record numbers in poll triggered by martial law
SEOUL: South Koreans queued in long lines in record numbers to choose their next president on Friday (May 30), the second day of early voting in a poll triggered by ex-leader Yoon Suk Yeol's disastrous martial law declaration. The country is battling to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon's suspension of civilian rule, for which he was impeached and stripped of office. 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 front-runner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing 49 per cent 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 per cent. While election day is set for Jun 3, those who want to vote early are allowed to do so on Thursday and Friday. As of 8am on Friday, a record 21 per cent had voted out of 44.4 million registered voters, Seoul's National Election Commission said. Overseas voting in particular reached a historic high, with four out of five of the 1.97 million eligible voters casting their ballots last week. "RESTORE DEMOCRACY" 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, South Korea's traditional security guarantor, and China, its largest trade partner. But analysts see martial law as the defining issue in the presidential race. Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women's University, told AFP the high turnout "naturally reflects the public's strong desire to restore democracy in South Korea". "Overseas Koreans ... more than ever, felt compelled to make their voices heard through the ballot, driven by a sense that the very foundations of South Korea's democracy were being shaken," said Kang. Lee lost his 2022 bid for the presidency to Yoon by one of the smallest margins in South Korean history, with one of the main debates becoming gender issues. The former school dropout rose to political stardom partly by highlighting his humble beginnings. He has vowed to "bring insurrection elements to justice" if elected president. Seoul National University political science professor Kang Won-taek warned, however, that South Korea's political woes were far from over. "There is a real possibility that the political turmoil and crises we've seen could re-emerge," said Kang. Lee, the frontrunner, has been a "central figure in the polarisation that has fuelled much of the country's political instability", he said.
Washington Post
3 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
A look at key events that triggered South Korea's snap presidential election
SEOUL, South Korea — After months of political turmoil, South Koreans head to the polls next week to elect a president to succeed disgraced former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted from office over his ill-fated decision to impose martial law in December. Here is a timeline of events that led to Tuesday's tense snap election:
