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
Chicago Cubs set to take on San Diego Padres in first MLB playoff game at Wrigley Field since 2020

Chicago Cubs Gear Up to Face San Diego Padres in First Wrigley Field MLB Playoff Since 2020

CHICAGO (WLS) — It’s an exciting day on the city’s North Side.…
Congress faces funding impasse as government shutdown looms

Congress Struggles to Approve Funding, Risking Government Shutdown

Democratic and Republican congressional leaders left a White House meeting with President…
Trump announces 100% tariff on foreign-made movies

Trump Introduces Full Tariff on Overseas Film Imports

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Monday that he plans…
Trump plans 100% tax on foreign-made films

Trump Proposes Full Tax on Internationally Produced Films

Claiming that movie production has been “stolen” from Hollywood and the U.S.,…
Florida man kills, eats pet peacocks after argument with neighborhood

Florida Resident Consumes Pet Peacocks Following Dispute with Neighbors

A 61-year-old man is facing charges for killing and eating his pet…
North Carolina restaurant ambush ‘highly premeditated,’ suspect tied to anti-LGBTQ conspiracies: docs

Documents reveal that an ambush at a North Carolina restaurant was thoroughly planned, with the suspect linked to anti-LGBTQ conspiracy theories.

A weekend shooting that left three people dead and five others injured…
ICE in Chicago: Federal agents surround South Shore apartment building as DHS requests military deployment to Illinois

Immigration Authorities in Chicago: Federal Agents Encircle South Shore Apartment as Homeland Security Seeks Military Assistance in Illinois

CHICAGO (WLS) — Questions remain after the announcement that the federal government…
Plainfield murder-suicide: Ryan Heit shoots, kills wife, Jennifer, before taking own life on Burshire Court, Joliet police say

Tragic Incident in Plainfield: Ryan Heit Allegedly Kills Wife Jennifer Before Taking His Own Life, According to Joliet Police

According to Joliet police, a tragic incident occurred early Monday morning in…
Arrest warrant issued for California doctor in Louisiana abortion pill case

California Doctor Faces Arrest Warrant in Louisiana Over Abortion Pill Case

Authorities in Louisiana have an arrest warrant out for a California doctor…
NHS removes controversial report on 'benefits' of first-cousin marriage after fierce public backlash in UK

NHS Withdraws Controversial Report on First-Cousin Marriage ‘Benefits’ Following Intense Public Backlash in the UK

The United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) has come under fire for…
US government is phasing out paper checks. Here's what that means for you

The U.S. Government is Ending Paper Checks: What You Need to Know

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government starts phasing out paper checks for…
Texas woman with history of 5 marriages faces murder trial in husband's insulin death

Texas Woman with Five Previous Marriages Goes to Trial Over Husband’s Insulin-Related Death

Jury selection has begun in the high-profile murder trial of Sarah Hartsfield, the…