South Korea faces high-stakes election; fears over China, North Korea and US ties shape voter concerns
Share this @internewscast.com

Early South Korean voters reportedly turned out in record numbers this week as the nation awaits the June 3 presidential election in what has been described as a pivotal race amid ongoing threats posed by China and recent rocky relations with the U.S. due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. 

The leader of the progressive Democratic Party of South Korea, Lee Jae-myung, is reported to be leading the race as the frontrunner, but he has raised some eyebrows after he vowed to take a “pragmatic” approach to geopolitics, chiefly by easing previously hawkish positions on China and lessening dependence on the U.S.

“The alliance with the U.S. is the foundation of South Korea’s diplomacy,” Lee said during a debate earlier this month, Bloomberg reported.

Lee Jae-myung

Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea appeals for support during a South Korean presidential election campaign in Wonju, Gangwon State, South Korea. May 30, 2025. (The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images)

Though he did caution that certain steps taken by the Trump administration, including the 25% tariffs announced earlier this year and the potential withdrawal of troops has “eroded” the relationship. 

 “If the U.S. continues this way — eroding its soft power and the trust of other nations — it won’t be sustainable. At some point, brakes will be applied,” Lee said. “Until then, endurance is key.”

Steel argued the “South Korean people understand the importance of a strong relationship with the United States.”

“Whatever the outcome of the election, South Korean leaders should embrace President Trump and look to make an incredible trade deal that will benefit everyone,” she added. 

But Lee has not convinced all who are weary of his view on U.S. relations, including David Eunkoo Kim, founder and president of the Truth Forum, a conservative youth organization founded at Seoul National University.

US South Korea military drills

South Korean and U.S. Marines take positions during a joint amphibious landing exercise with their Filipino counterparts on a beach facing the South China Sea in San Antonio town, Zambales province, Oct. 7, 2022. (Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images)

“This election is widely seen as a pivotal moment for South Korea because the stakes — both domestically and geopolitically — are extraordinarily high,” Kim said.

“Throughout his political career, (Lee) has consistently aligned himself with both pro-North Korean and pro-Chinese agendas. He has been implicated in sending funds to North Korea in violation of U.N. sanctions, and his deference to China has been nothing short of submissive,” Kim said.

Kim was referring to Lee’s indictment for an illegal cash transfer scheme to North Korea, though Lee denies the accusations and has argued they are politically motivated.

During this month’s debate, Lee’s opponents claimed Lee is also a “North Korea risk” as concerns about Pyongyang’s military movements continue to escalate, Radio Free Asia reported.

Lee maintains he wants to ease tensions with North Korea by engaging in peaceful diplomacy. 

Several missiles launching

A TV screen shows a file image of North Korea’s missile launch during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

But David Eunkoo Kim told Fox News Digital Lee’s legal troubles are another geopolitical vulnerability.

“With multiple criminal investigations looming, he has every incentive to cling to power at all costs — even if that means aligning South Korea more closely with Beijing,” he said. “And this concern is not theoretical. 

“China is already aggressively asserting influence in the region.” 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Top Russia Navy commander killed in region bordering Ukraine

Senior Russian Naval Leader Killed Near Ukrainian Border

A top Russian Navy commander was killed “during combat operations” in a…
Fireworks igniting a house fire.

Massive Fireworks Blast Ignites Four Houses with Sparks Raining Down, Leaving Woman Critically Injured

DRAMATIC footage shows fireworks exploding in a neighborhood on the eve of…
Dalai Lama lays out succession plan, pledging reincarnation as China eyes interference

Dalai Lama Reveals Future Succession Strategy Amidst China’s Intent to Intervene

Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has declared that the long-standing institution…
CIA Report Exposes Russiagate Fraud by Intel Chiefs

CIA Document Reveals Deception by Intelligence Officials in Russiagate Case

A new CIA report exposes a deliberate Russiagate fraud led by former…
Colorado man sentenced to life in prison for DUI that killed Air Force veteran, injured his children

Colorado Resident Receives Life Sentence for Fatal DUI Accident Involving Air Force Veteran and Injuring His Kids

A Colorado man found guilty of killing an Air Force veteran while…
Michael Madsen, known for roles in 'Reservoir Dogs,' 'Kill Bill' films, dies at 67

‘Reservoir Dogs’ and ‘Kill Bill’ Actor Michael Madsen Passes Away at 67

MALIBU, Calif. (KABC) — Actor Michael Madsen, known for roles in “Reservoir…
Seals on a beach near the ocean.

“Freak ‘Mini-Tsunami’ Sweeps Across Tourist Beach, Injuring 8 as Wave Drags Sunbathers Over Rocks”

THIS is the shocking moment a “mini-tsunami” swept sideways across a tourist…
Will NYC fall for the selfie-entitled Zohran Mamdani?

Is NYC Ready for Zohran Mamdani’s Rise in Popularity?

What do you do if something doesn’t work? Why, surely you should…
Violent criminal gangs have 'near-total control' of world nation's capital, UN says

UN Reports: Violent Gangs Dominate Capital of Major World Nation

Haiti’s capital is under “near-total control” by criminal gangs as violence intensifies,…
Aerial illustration of Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport, the world's largest airport on an artificial island.

Massive Manmade Island Airport Equivalent to a Town Under Construction; Large Enough to Serve Every Brit

CHINA is steaming ahead with building the world’s largest man-made island airport.…
Far-Left Commentator Thinks He Has the Answer to Getting Young Men to Vote for Democrats

Progressive Commentator Proposes Strategy to Engage Young Male Voters for Democrats

As Democrats try various strategies hoping something will resonate, they appear to…
Gunslinging rabbi hunts neo-Nazis in movie 'Guns & Moses'

Rabbi with a Gun Takes on Neo-Nazis in the Film ‘Guns & Moses’

These Hollywood Jews take “movie shoot” to a whole new level.  “Guns…