Following the Constitutional Court's unanimous decision on April 4 to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, announced his resignation as party chief on April 9 to focus on his presidential campaign. This political upheaval stems from controversies surrounding First Lady Kim Keon-hee's luxury gift scandal and Yoon's disputed martial law decisions.
Impeachment Verdict Triggers Political Turmoil
Under South Korean law, a presidential election must be held within 60 days of a vacancy. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo promptly announced the snap election for June 3, designating it as a temporary public holiday to boost voter turnout - reminiscent of the 2017 election held after Park Geun-hye's impeachment.
Lee Jae-myung's Legal Challenges
While considered the frontrunner, Lee faces political uncertainty. The Seoul Central District Court sentenced him to one year in prison (suspended for two years) last November, but the Seoul High Court overturned the verdict on March 26. With prosecutors appealing to the Supreme Court, a final guilty verdict could bar him from public office for years under the Public Official Election Act.
Ruling Party in Disarray
The ruling People Power Party is deeply divided:
The former leader of the People Power Party has always been regarded by South Korean media as Yoon Seok-yeol's "successor." Han Dongxun was once Yoon Seok-yeol's right-hand man and "close comrade-in-arms", but now their relationship is no longer what it used to be. In January 2024, Yoon Seok-yeol's wife, Kim Keon-hee, was exposed for accepting brand-name bags. To restore the reputation of the ruling party and reduce the impact on the parliamentary election, Han Dong-hoon advocated that Kim Keon-hee should make a public apology, which aroused Yoon Seok-yeol's dissatisfaction. In the impeachment case, Han Dong-hoon publicly supported the removal of Yoon Seok-yeol and was seen as a symbol of "cutting off Yoon Seok-yeol's line." Pro-Yoon lawmakers strongly oppose his stance, believing he has "betrayed" Yoon Seok-yeol, and his support base within the party may be weakened by the post-impeachment purge sentiment.
Ahn Cheol-soo was the only member of the ruling party who did not leave the parliament during the first impeachment vote. He ran for president three times and became a key minority in the 2022 election with 12% support. In the end, he withdrew from the election and supported Yoon Seok-yeol. Its independent stance may attract centrist voters and pragmatists.
Lacking clear factional support, he needs to mediate between the "pro-Yin faction" and the "reform faction", and his influence is limited.
Kwon Yeong-se is currently the chairman of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee. He led the party's operations during Yoon Seok-yeol's detention and has publicly denied the possibility of Yoon Seok-yeol's resignation on many occasions. He recently met with Yoon Seok-yeol and sent a signal of unity, demonstrating his ability to coordinate within the party.
He needs to balance the contradictions between pro-Yun and reformist factions within the party, and may be questioned by conservative forces because he once criticized Yoon Seok-yeol's decision to impose martial law.
Election With Far-reaching Consequences
This snap election will determine South Korea's future policy direction. Whether Lee can overcome legal hurdles and whether conservatives can regroup will be key factors to watch. Much like the 2017 post-impeachment election reshaped South Korea's political landscape, this vote may similarly transform Northeast Asia's geopolitical dynamics.
(Source: CCTV News, Korea Time, Reuters, and Korea Herald)
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