The election campaign for the presidential election in the Republic of Korea officially began on June 3. On May 11, the registration of candidates for the post of head of state was completed.
According to the Central Election Commission, seven people are vying for the post of head of state, including former chairman of the Toburo Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung, candidate from the still ruling Civilian Power Party Kim Moon-soo, head of the Reform Party Lee Joon-suk, candidate from the Democratic Labor Party Kwon Yong-guk, from the Liberty and Unification Party Koo Ju-wa, as well as two independents – Hwang Kyo-ahn and Son Jin-ho.
On April 4, the Constitutional Court approved the impeachment of now former President Yoon Seok-yol due to the events of martial law. The third hearing of the criminal case of sedition against Yoon Seok-yol is also taking place on May 13.
The most serious competition will be between the candidate from the leading opposition party, Lee Jae-myung, and the representative of the conservative camp, Kim Moon-soo. According to the results of a public opinion poll, which the sociological bureau Realmeter published yesterday, Lee Jae-myung is supported by 52.1% of respondents, Kim Moon-soo – 31.1%, Lee Joon-suk – 6.3%. In this poll, respondents were asked to choose only from these three candidates. Lee Joon-suk was the former chairman of the “Citizen’s Power”, but ruled out joining forces with Kim Moon-soo.