South Korea to hold snap presidential election on June 3

SEOUL - Leading contenders began to throw their hats in the ring on April 8, as South Korea officially set June 3 for a snap presidential election, triggered by last week’s removal of impeached leader Yoon Suk Yeol from office.

The power vacuum at the top of South Korea’s government has impeded Seoul’s efforts to negotiate with the administration of US President Donald Trump, at a time of spiralling US tariffs and slowing growth in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

Yoon was removed on April 4 over his short-lived declaration of martial law in December 2024, which plunged the key US ally into crisis, triggering a new election that could reshape its foreign and domestic policy.

“The government intends to designate June 3 as the 21st presidential election day,” Acting President Han Duck-soo told a Cabinet meeting, citing factors such as the time political parties need to prepare for the event.

Yoon’s Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo is among a handful of hopefuls who have signalled their intention to run, resigning his post on April 8 and saying he would launch his campaign.

While not officially a member of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) at the moment, Mr Kim has been polling better than other conservative contenders.

“I tendered my resignation and decided to run because the people want it, people I know want it, and I feel a sense of responsibility to solve national difficulties,” Mr Kim told reporters.

Economic conditions during a “severe national crisis” are hurting people’s livelihoods, he said.

“I thought that all politicians and people should unite to overcome the crisis and work together to help the country develop further,” Mr Kim said.

Mr Ahn Cheol-soo, a PPP lawmaker who was its first to vote for Yoon’s impeachment, also declared his intention to run on April 8,