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2d ago

Lee Jae-myung Leads South Korea's Presidential Race as PPP Faces Internal Turmoil

With polls showing Lee at 51% support, conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo struggles to gain ground amid calls for ex-President Yoon to leave the PPP.

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party, gives a thumbs-up to voters during a campaign stop in Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province, southwestern South Korea, on May 15, 2025, ahead of the June 3 presidential election. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Kim Moon-soo (R), the presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party, shakes hands with a supporter during a campaign stop in a subway station in Seoul on May 15, 2025, ahead of the June 3 presidential election. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Image
This combined photo taken May 16, 2025, shows the presidential candidates of South Korea's major political parties -- (from L to R) Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party -- making stump speeches in the southwestern city of Iksan, Suwon, near Seoul, and the central city of Cheonan, respectively, ahead of the June 3 presidential election. (Yonhap)

Overview

  • Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung maintains a commanding 51% lead in the latest polls, far ahead of People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo at 29%.
  • PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae has formally recommended that former President Yoon Suk Yeol leave the party, citing his impeachment over a failed martial law bid as a liability.
  • Kim Moon-soo has apologized for Yoon’s martial law attempt but has deferred the decision on Yoon’s party membership to Yoon himself.
  • The PPP plans to revise its charter to limit presidential interference in party affairs, aiming to restore internal democracy and address voter concerns.
  • Both leading candidates are focusing their campaigns on key regions, with Lee targeting liberal strongholds and Kim shifting efforts to battleground areas to sway centrist voters.