South Korea’s Presidential Campaigns Heat Up Amid Political Turmoil

Intermediate Level | May 17, 2025

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South Korea Presidential Election 2025 Begins with Big Stakes

The race for South Korea’s next president officially began this week, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The South Korea presidential election 2025, scheduled for June 3, follows months of political chaos after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment in April, following his controversial move to declare martial law in December 2024. Yoon has since left his conservative People Power Party but publicly supports its new candidate, Kim Moon-soo.

Two Candidates Battle for South Korea Presidential Election 2025

Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party leads the race. His campaign focuses on reviving the economy through investment in AI technology and the K-pop industry. He also promotes stronger ties with North Korea and Europe. Despite facing legal challenges, including a pending Supreme Court case, Lee is polling at 51%.

Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo, a former labor minister, has promised massive deregulation and bold defense policies. He proposes a 100 trillion won (about \$71 billion USD) AI fund and tax relief for the middle class. He also supports redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea and wants immediate trade talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump to remove tariffs.

The Public Reacts to Political Turmoil

The dramatic events of the past year have left many South Koreans feeling divided. Some are angry at Yoon’s actions, while others feel his impeachment was politically motivated. The election has become more than just a vote for president—it’s a test of the nation’s direction.

As election day approaches, both candidates are working hard to win support in a polarized society and an economy struggling to grow. The South Korea presidential election 2025 is expected to have a lasting impact on the nation’s policies at home and abroad.

Vocabulary

Impeachment (noun): The process of removing a leader from office for wrongdoing.
Example: Yoon’s impeachment followed his martial law declaration.
Martial law (noun): Military control over normal government functions.
Example: The decision to declare martial law was highly controversial.
Candidate (noun): A person running for a position, like president.
Example: Both candidates have different views on the economy.
Deregulation (noun): The removal of government rules and restrictions.
Example: Kim supports economic deregulation to boost business.
Tariff (noun): A tax on imported goods.
Example: They plan to negotiate with the U.S. about tariffs.
Polarized (adjective): Divided into two opposing groups.
Example: The country is politically polarized after the impeachment.
Revive (verb): To bring something back to life or improve it.
Example: Lee hopes to revive the economy through tech investments.
Redeploy (verb): To move military forces or weapons to a new location.
Example: Kim wants to redeploy U.S. nuclear weapons in South Korea.
Approval rating (noun): A measure of public support for a person or policy.
Example: Lee’s approval rating has remained strong despite legal issues.
Controversial (adjective): Causing strong disagreement or debate.
Example: The declaration of martial law was controversial.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why was President Yoon impeached?
What are the main campaign goals of each candidate?
How are South Koreans reacting to the political situation?
What does Kim Moon-soo want to do about North Korea?
Why is this election seen as especially important?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How important is voting in a democracy?
What issues do you think matter most in a presidential election?
Should leaders be allowed to use martial law?
How can countries stay strong during political crises?
What role should technology play in economic growth?

Related Idiom

Walk a fine line
Meaning: To balance between two opposing sides or actions carefully.
Example: Both candidates must walk a fine line to gain trust in a divided country.

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This article was inspired by Reuters, May 12–17, 2025.