Left candidate Lee Jae Myung leads in South Korea's presidential election!

Left candidate Lee Jae Myung leads in South Korea's presidential election!

Südkorea, Südkorea - On June 2, 2025, the highly expected presidential election took place in South Korea after the constitutional court decided in April the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon, who is charged with treason, surprisingly proclaimed war law in December, which triggered a state crisis. Now a new president could contribute to the stability in the country.

First projections published after the polling stations were closed, show that the left -wing politician Lee Jae Myung leads with 51.7 percent of the vote. His conservative counter candidate Kim Moon Soo has so far received 39.3 percent. However, the majority could change during the count, and the final election result is expected until midnight local time, i.e. at 5:00 p.m. CEST. Lee Jae Myung, a former human rights lawyer, is 60 years old and his political agenda includes the expansion of renewable energies and strengthening workers. He also strives to approach China and North Korea.

The background of the election

This choice occurred in a context of particularly urgent social problems that the voters employ. The economic issues are of central importance, in particular high prices and affordable living space. Young people are increasingly faced with difficulties to find work and living space, which also affects their families. In addition, society is faced with demographic change, a low birth rate and high performance pressure and the widespread revision.

The opposition often describes Lee Jae Myung as the "smaller evil", although he is not particularly popular and threatens five criminal proceedings, including corruption. The conservative People Power Party (PPP) describes him as criminals. Despite all the challenges, voters keep hope for stability, while they long for the months of political turbulence. The candidates had to submit ten election promises or a ten-point election program to the election commission, in which the economic challenges are clearly in the foreground.

Lee Jae Myung could initiate a new direction in South Korean politics if he emerges as the winner after the projections. The population has expressed the desire to free themselves from political uncertainty and to look into a more stable future. The choice becomes a decisive moment for South Korea, which depends on the upcoming decision of the voter.

While Lee is on the best way to take over the presidency, the developments of the past few months have been shaping a shadow on his possible term. The economic challenges and the political context could not only influence his policy, but also social stability. The coming hours until the final count will show how the political landscape of South Korea will develop.

Ostsee Zeitung reports that Lee Jae Myung lists the choice, while Tagesschau The course and the challenges of the election explain in detail.