Lee Jae-myung takes the lead as South Koreans prepare for a post-Yoon Suk Yeol era

SEOUL, June 3 — Candidates in South Korea's snap presidential election made their final appeals to voters on Monday, just one day before the nation heads to the polls in a vote prompted by former president Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law.

The country is eager to move past six months of political unrest sparked by Yoon’s brief suspension of civilian rule in December — a move that led to his impeachment and removal from office.

Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung holds a strong lead, with the latest Gallup Korea poll showing 49% of respondents naming him as the best choice for president. His main rival, conservative Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party (PPP) — Yoon's former party — trails with 35%.

Both candidates have framed the election as a battle over the nation’s future direction.

Lee spent much of his final campaign day in Gyeonggi Province, where he once served as governor and built a loyal support base, before heading to Yeouido in Seoul. There, he held his final rally at the symbolic site where protesters had gathered to call for Yoon’s impeachment following his December actions.

By Monday evening, thousands of supporters packed the area, waving blue balloons and dancing to K-pop music as vendors sold glow sticks featuring Lee’s smiling face.

“I believe he’ll win decisively tomorrow. I trust he’ll lead with compassion for the disadvantaged and promote fairness and equal opportunity,” said Jeong Hea-sun, a 59-year-old factory worker.

Kim Moon-soo kicked off his final campaign swing from Jeju Island, South Korea’s southernmost point, before making his way north and ending in Seoul’s trendy Gangnam district, where he planned to connect with young voters.

Last-minute controversy

The final day of campaigning was overshadowed by controversy over a disputed endorsement. The Democratic Party claimed on Friday that well-known investor Jim Rogers, based in Singapore, had praised Lee as “a leader who can open a new chapter of peace, prosperity, and global leadership.”

However, South Korean media quoted Rogers as denying any endorsement, reportedly stating, “Mr Lee is making things up,” and asserting that he had “not endorsed anyone in Korea ever.” Rogers has not responded to AFP’s request for comment.

Despite the flap, analysts say Lee remains the frontrunner.

“This election has essentially turned into a race between Lee Jae-myung and a coalition of those opposing him,” said Kang Joo-hyun, a political science professor at Sookmyung Women’s University. “He’s maintained a steady lead close to or just under the majority in recent surveys.”

South Korea is now in the legally mandated “dark campaign period,” during which public release of polling data is banned, although polling continues privately.

According to the National Election Commission, more than one-third of eligible voters have already cast their ballots during early voting held last week.

The winner of the June 3 election will be sworn in immediately the next day for a single five-year term, with no transition period. — AFP