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South Korea's Presidential Race Intensifies as Candidates Target Key Regions and Voter Groups

Lee Jae-myung leads the polls while conservative rivals face challenges in unifying their base and addressing Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment fallout.

Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared graphic (left) and the AsiaToday graphic published on May 11 (right), with the cropped out dates highlighted by AFP
Image
People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo boards a firefighting helicopter during his visit to the Korea Aviation Engineering & Maintenance Service in the southeastern city of Sacheon on May 14, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)
Kim Moon-soo

Overview

  • Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung maintains a strong lead in opinion polls, with around 50% support as the June 3 election approaches.
  • Lee has called for the People Power Party to expel impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol, labeling him a 'military coup leader' during campaign stops in Busan.
  • The People Power Party struggles with internal divisions over Yoon's impeachment, with some lawmakers urging his voluntary departure to regain centrist voters' trust.
  • All three candidates—Lee Jae-myung, Kim Moon-soo, and Lee Jun-seok—are focusing on the conservative strongholds of Busan and South Gyeongsang Province to court voters.
  • The Democratic Party advances controversial judicial reform bills that could impact Lee's legal case, drawing criticism for undermining judicial independence.