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The South Korean government has officially announced June 3 as the date for its next presidential election. This urgent decision follows the dramatic removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted after imposing a short-term martial law in December last year.
The announcement came after cabinet-level talks with the National Election Commission, with the government also declaring June 3 as a public holiday to facilitate voter turnout.
Yoon Removed After Declaring Martial Law
Yoon was first impeached by Parliament, and later the Constitutional Court upheld the decision, citing that he had violated his official duties. His controversial move to deploy military forces around the parliament building on December 3 was widely seen as an attempt to disrupt democratic proceedings.
Under South Korea's Constitution, a presidential election must be held within 60 days if the office becomes vacant.
Who's in Charge? South Korea Faces Leadership Chaos
Following Yoon’s removal, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo temporarily stepped in as acting president. However, the situation became more volatile when Han himself was impeached by lawmakers. The Constitutional Court later reinstated Han, who now leads the nation in an interim capacity.
This power struggle has left the administration in disarray, with delays in policymaking and rising public anxiety.
Political Drama Hurting South Korea’s Economy
The political instability comes at a sensitive time, with South Korea facing slowing economic growth and rising trade tensions with the U.S., particularly under the administration of President Donald Trump.
The leadership vacuum has further fueled concerns about the government's ability to manage economic and foreign policy challenges in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
What’s Next for South Korea?
With just weeks to go until the snap election, the country is at a critical crossroads. Voters will be looking for a leader who can restore political stability, rebuild international credibility, and steer South Korea through a fragile economy.
Stay tuned as candidates begin to emerge and campaign for the future of South Korea.
