The 21st South Korean presidential election was held earlier today simultaneously at more than 14,000 polling stations nationwide. Since the emergency martial law incident involving former President Yoon Suk-Yeol on December 3, 2024, a political vacuum and chaos lasting over six months will finally come to an end.
The official vote count is expected to be revealed around midnight on June 3, 2025, with Democratic Party of Korea candidate Lee Jae-Myung currently leading in predictions.
This presidential election features a two-party showdown between Lee and People Power Party's Kim Moon-Soo. As this early election follows the impeachment of Yoon, it marks a significant turning point in South Korea's constitutional history.
Most South Korean political analysts note that policy debates were almost absent during the campaign, with future high-tech industries such as artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors receiving little attention. Instead, party consolidation and scandals involving the candidates and their families dominated the discourse, highlighting ideological divides over substantive policy discussions.
Moreover, Lee released his policy platform last among all candidates. The delayed publication drew criticism, raising concerns about the future of South Korea's crucial semiconductor industry.
Reviewing Lee's proposals, he advocates for a comprehensive review of South Korea's semiconductor ecosystem, targeting upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. His focus includes supporting AI semiconductor development and nurturing promising IC design startups. However, questions remain regarding funding sources and the effectiveness of these plans.
In contrast, Kim emphasizes infrastructure support and labor system reforms. He proposes relaxing the 52-hour workweek limit and providing enterprises with infrastructure assistance, though details are sparse. Additionally, Kim has pledged to expand support for materials and components to promote domestic production.
Regardless of who wins, the next president faces formidable challenges: resolving intense factional divisions, addressing domestic political polarization, and managing external pressures such as trade tensions stemming from US President Donald Trump's tariff policies. Notably, the election has also seen increased activity from far-right groups whose anti-China rhetoric warrants close observation.
Voting will take place from 6 am to 8 pm local time on June 3, with final results expected at midnight. Early voting occurred from May 29 to May 30, achieving a turnout rate of 34.74%, the second highest since the system's implementation. Whether the overall voter turnout surpasses the 80% mark remains a key point of interest.
Article edited by Jack Wu
