Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Introducing the Presidential Hopefuls for South Korea
  • Local news

Introducing the Presidential Hopefuls for South Korea

    Meet the candidates who hope to become South Korea's president
    Up next
    Off-duty Florida deputy caught riding motorcycle with fake 'CHASEM3' tag: officials
    Florida Deputy Found Using Phony ‘CHASEM3’ Tag on Motorcycle While Off-Duty: Authorities
    Published on 02 June 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • become,
    • candidates,
    • Donald Trump,
    • Elections,
    • Han Duck-soo,
    • HOPE,
    • Kim Moon Soo,
    • Korea039s,
    • lee jae-myung,
    • meet,
    • Park Geun-hye,
    • president,
    • South,
    • The,
    • who,
    • world news,
    • Yoon Suk Yeol
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    SEOUL – After months of political turmoil, South Korea is on the verge of electing a new president this week following the downfall of conservative leader Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted due to his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.

    Polls indicate that liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung holds a strong lead over his main conservative opponent, Kim Moon Soo, who seeks a surprising victory. Regardless of the outcome, the newly elected president will bypass the typical two-month transition period to assume their five-year term immediately as South Korea faces significant challenges, including a stark political divide, the repercussions of the Trump administration’s tariff policies, and North Korea’s growing military alliance with Russia.

    Here is a look at the two main candidates standing for the June 3 election:

    LEE JAE-MYUNG

    Lee, who is 60 years old and represents the Democratic Party, was instrumental in leading the charge to remove Yoon after his declaration of martial law on December 3 threw South Korea into chaos.

    Lee said he initially thought Yoon’s late-night televised marital law announcement was a digital deepfake when his wife told him of the news. After realizing it was real, Lee, then the party’s chairman, ordered all his party lawmakers to rush to the National Assembly to vote down Yoon’s decree. He then livestreamed his moves to the assembly, urging the public to gather there to protest Yoon’s action.

    Enough lawmakers ultimately managed to enter an assembly hall to overturn Yoon’s decree, with troops sent by Yoon apparently mostly reluctant to use physical force to seal the assembly building. Lee later led an assembly vote to impeach Yoon before the Constitutional Court formally threw him out of office in early April.

    “The rebellion was subdued, and Yoon Suk Yeol was dismissed. The long, severe winter has passed, and spring has come again. The people have finally made it,” Lee said in a book published in mid-April.

    This is Lee’s third run for presidency. In 2022, he lost the election to Yoon in the closet-ever margin recorded in South Korea’s presidential elections.

    Lee previously served as governor of South Korea’s most populous Gyeonggi province and mayor of Seongnam city, near Seoul. He has portrayed himself as “an able captain” who can revitalize the economy, heal a worsened domestic division and bring back peace with North Korea.

    “If you give me a chance to work as president, I will clearly prove how big change one official — the person in charge — can bring,” Lee told a crowd in his first official campaign speech on May 12.

    Once a political outsider, Lee rose sharply in politics from his position as mayor after fiery speeches critical of conservative President Park Geun-hye over a 2016-17 corruption scandal that went viral.

    Supporting his popularity was his self-built success story: Poverty forced him to quit school and work as a child laborer at factories where he suffered injuries that left him with an arm disability. He later passed the country’s highly exhaustive bar exam and became a human rights lawyer.

    Lee has since tried to establish an image as someone who can fix deep-rooted inequality and corruption. But many conservative critics view him as a dangerous populist who intensifies divisions for political gains and backpedals on promises too easily.

    With the assembly under his party’s control, some experts worry Lee would have excessive, unchecked power. But others say Lee is unlikely to unilaterally pursue overly drastic policies because he cannot maintain a stable leadership without the support of moderates.

    He faces five criminal trials for corruption and other charges, although the proceedings will likely end if he wins because a sitting South Korean president has immunity from most criminal prosecutions.

    KIM MOON SOO

    Kim, 73, a hardline conservative who served as Yoon’s labor minister, initially was considered past his political prime.

    He suddenly emerged as a potential standard-bearer of the embattled South Korean conservatives after he solely defied a request by a Democratic Party lawmaker for all Cabinet members to stand and bow at the assembly in a gesture of apology over Yoon’s decree.

    Kim won the People Power Party’s nomination in early May. He quickly faced an attempt by party leaders to replace him with Han Duck-soo, a former prime minister and independent who was more popular in polls. In a dramatic shift, Kim eventually retained his candidacy after party members voted in his favor.

    In a televised party meeting afterward, Kim knelt, apologized for the infighting and vowed to promote internal unity.

    “From today, we are one team. Let’s fight together and win together,” he said.

    Kim has said he would build a greater missile defense system and win a stronger U.S. security commitment to cope with North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats. He vowed to reform anti-business regulations and reduce corporate and inheritance taxes.

    Kim was a prominent labor and pro-democracy activist in the 1970 and ’80s, when South Korea was ruled by military-backed leaders. He was expelled from Seoul National University, the country’s top school, worked at factories to promote labor rights and spent 2 1/2 years in prison for his anti-government activities.

    Kim switched his ideology in 1994 and joined a conservative party, drawing rebukes from fellow activists who denounced him as a traitor. Kim has said he abandoned his dream to become “a revolutionist” after observing the collapses of communist states.

    He served as Gyeonggi province governor for eight years and a member of the National Assembly for three terms. His political career suffered major setbacks when he successively lost parliamentary and Seoul mayoral elections to the liberals. He was named labor minister in 2024.

    In a recent campaign appearance, Kim lauded late authoritarian President Park Chung-hee, father of Park Geun-hye, as a great leader who lifted the country out of poverty and apologized for his past fight against him. Park is a divisive figure because he engineered the country’s past rapid economic rise but suppressed dissidents.

    “When I was young, I opposed President Park Chung-hee. But now, I’ve realized I did something wrong,” Kim said. “I spat at his grave but now I offer flowers before it.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    As one Paxton restaurant is set to close, another opens its doors
    • Local news

    New Dining Spot Opens as Beloved Paxton Restaurant Prepares to Close

    PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — In a tale of two eateries, Paxton welcomes…
    • Internewscast
    • October 17, 2025

    Heroic K-9 Unleashes Justice: Southwest Virginia Fugitive Wanted for Heinous Crimes Captured

    WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. — A man facing several charges related to sex…
    • Internewscast
    • October 17, 2025

    Kingsport City Leaders Unveil Key Updates at Annual State of the City Address

    KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) – City leaders, staff, Chamber of Commerce members, and…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    The death of 6-month-old Liam Rye raises concerns after people in the community donated funds for his funeral
    • Local news

    Community Outcry: Tragic Passing of 6-Month-Old Liam Rye Sparks Urgent Funeral Fundraising Debate

    SAVANNAH, Ga. — The tragic passing of 6-month-old Liam Rye in 2023…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Larkin's overtime goal lifts Red Wings past Lightning, 2-1
    • Local news

    Larkin’s Overtime Heroics Propel Red Wings to 2-1 Victory Over Lightning

    In a thrilling overtime showdown on Friday night, Dylan Larkin propelled the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025

    Greeneville to Commence Pavement Resurfacing on Three Roads Next Week

    GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Starting Wednesday, Greeneville will initiate pavement resurfacing on…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Local organizers, opposers speak ahead of 'No Kings' protest
    • Local news

    Community Voices Clash in Anticipation of ‘No Kings’ Rally

    In Savannah, Georgia, local political organizations are gearing up for the “No…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Enhanced security at Helms College after fatal student attack
    • Local news

    Helms College Boosts Security Measures Following Tragic Student Incident

    AUGUSTA, Ga. () – In response to a tragic incident, Helms College…
    • Internewscast
    • October 17, 2025
    Around 100 students sent home sick from Texas school, letter says
    • Local news

    Texas School Dismisses Nearly 100 Students Due to Illness, Official Letter Confirms

    In an unexpected turn of events at Kealing Middle School in Austin,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 17, 2025
    Oklahoma teen avoids prison time despite rape convictions
    • Local news

    Oklahoma Teen Escapes Prison Sentence Despite Multiple Rape Convictions: A Controversial Verdict

    Editor’s Note: The following article discusses sensitive topics, including rape and sexual…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    John Bolton surrenders at Maryland courthouse
    • Local news

    Former National Security Advisor John Bolton Voluntarily Appears at Maryland Courthouse

    GREENBELT, Md. — John Bolton, the ex-national security adviser who has become…
    • Internewscast
    • October 17, 2025
    Alaska storm damage so bad many evacuees won’t go home for at least 18 months, governor says
    • Local news

    Alaska Storm Devastation Forces Extended Evacuations: Governor Estimates 18-Month Displacement

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Last weekend’s devastating flooding has left remote villages in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Today in History: October 18, ‘Mr. October’ hits three homers to clinch World Series
    • News

    Reggie Jackson’s Legendary Hat Trick: Relive the Historic October 18 World Series Triumph

    Today marks Saturday, October 18, 2025, the 291st day of the year,…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Trump says he has commuted sentence of former US Rep. George Santos in federal fraud case
    • Local news

    Trump Commutes Sentence of Ex-Congressman George Santos in Federal Fraud Case

    WASHINGTON (AP) — On Friday, President Donald Trump announced the commutation of…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Maduro at military parade
    • US

    Senators Move to Halt Trump’s Military Actions in Venezuela

    On Friday, a bipartisan coalition of Senators introduced measures to prevent President…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Molly-Mae Hague has epic 'diva' meltdown ahead of L'Oreal runway
    • Entertainment

    Molly-Mae Hague’s Dramatic Pre-Runway Meltdown Steals the Spotlight at L’Oreal Fashion Show

    Molly-Mae Hague experienced a dramatic moment of distress before her debut on…
    • Internewscast
    • October 18, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.