The elections across the country began on the morning of Tuesday (3) to choose the new president of South Korea.
The new presidential race was triggered by the dismissal of former conservative president, Yoon Suk-Youol, from office due to
After the Parliament in December, Yoon too On April 4th, with Less than three years in office, which should last five.
The new president will face the challenge of gathering a society deeply marked by the attempted military government and a strongly exporting economy, staggering for unpredictable protectionist measures from the United States, an important commercial partner and ally in terms of security.
Many South Korean voters consider recovery and economic revitalization as the main priority for the next president, while others expressed hope of further support for the younger generation.
Dispute between candidates
The dispute stands out between liberal candidate Lee Jae-Myung of the Democratic Party, and conservative Kim Moon-Soo of the Popular Power Party.
The two promised changes to the country, saying that the political system and the economic model established during the rise as an emerging democracy and industrial power are no longer suitable.
Innovation and technology investment proposals often overlap, but Lee advocates more equity and helps to medium and low income families, while Kim campaigns to give companies more freedom over labor regulations and conflicts.
However, overshadowing any social policy initiative is the brief attempt From Yoon of imposing martial law, which was of great importance in research.
Against Kim and the Popular Power Party, accusing them of having tolerated their attempted martial law by no longer fighting to prevent it and even trying to save Yoon’s presidency.
Kim was Yoon Minister of Labor when the former president stated the measure on December 3.
He called Lee a “dictator” and the monster’s Democratic Party, warning that if the former human rights lawyer becomes president, nothing will stop them from working together to change laws simply because they don’t like them.
“The Popular Power Party and I will do our best to save people’s livelihoods and the economy,” Kim said in a Facebook post.
Anticipated vote
Favorite Lee and rival Kim participated in the early vote last week.
Yoon and his wife voted at a school near his private residence, looking relaxed, but ignoring the questions when leaving the electoral section.
Regular voters in Seoul asked the next leader to alleviate discord, restore stability, and face urgent challenges from the consequences of the crisis that hit their families.
“The economy has worsened a lot since December 3, not only for me, but I hear that from everyone,” said Kim Kwang-MA, 81. “And we, as a people, have become so polarized … I would like us to unite so that Korea could develop again.”
There were no candidates for women running for the elections for the first time in 18 years.
Although research shows great differences between men and young women, Gender Equality It was not among the main political issues presented during this election, a strong contrast with the 2022 vote.
“One thing that makes me a little frustrated with traditional candidates, be it Lee Jae-Myung or other conservative candidates, is that they have no policies about minority women or groups,” said 18-year-old Kwon Seo-Hyun, university freshman and first-time voter who went to the streets for anti-Yoon protests after martial law.
Lee is the favorite to win, according to polls released a week before the vote, leading Kim for 14 percentage points, with 49% public support in a Gallup Korea survey, although Kim decreased an even greater difference at the beginning of the campaign on May 12.
Ball mouth research conducted by three television networks will be released at the end of the ballot box at 8 pm local time.
Banknotes will be classified and first counted by a machine and then verified three times manually by electoral employees to verify accuracy.
It is unclear when the result will come out. In 2022, Lee gave the victory to Yoon around 3 am, local time, the day after the vote, in the most fierce presidential dispute in the country’s history, decided by a margin of less than 1 percentage point.
The National Electoral Commission must certify the result on Wednesday (3), and the inauguration of the winner is expected within a few hours.
There will be no presidential transition, because the position remains vague since Yoon’s dismissal.
