Élection Présidentielles Coréennes 2025
Last updated on May 21, 2025.
Presidential Elections in South Korea – Stay Informed
The South Korean presidential elections are approaching. Find below an overview of the main candidates, key points from their platforms, the voting schedule, and a selection of recent news from Korean media outlets.
Election Date: Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025
ℹ️ Good to Know
Foreign nationals are not allowed to vote in South Korea, but they can follow the elections to better understand the country’s political and economic developments.
Candidates Presentation
👤 Kim Moon-soo (People Power Party)
From labor activist to conservative candidate
Kim Moon-soo, 73, is the presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party (PPP). Once a prominent labor activist in the 1970s and 1980s, Kim made a dramatic shift to conservative politics in the 1990s. A former Governor of Gyeonggi Province and Minister of Labor under President Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim is known for his staunch views on public order and national identity.
📌 Key points of his platform:
– Labor Reform: Advocates for deregulation and flexibility in labor markets, while emphasizing productivity and company competitiveness.
– National Security: Strong support for military readiness and alignment with U.S. policies in Northeast Asia.
– Public Order: Endorses tougher stances on protests and supports the recent martial law declaration under Yoon’s presidency.
– Economic Policy: Focus on boosting traditional industries and reducing public debt.
– Conservative Values: Promotes patriotism, family-centered policies, and education reforms aligned with traditional Korean values.
👤 Lee Jun-seok (Reform Party)
From tech entrepreneur to youngest presidential contender
At 40, Lee Jun-seok is the youngest candidate in the race and the face of the minor conservative Reform Party. A Harvard graduate and former startup founder, Lee entered politics at 26, quickly rising to national prominence. Once dubbed the "Park Geun-hye kid," he later distanced himself from traditional conservatism, founding his own party in 2024. Known for his sharp media presence and appeal to young male voters, Lee is a polarizing but influential figure in Korean politics.
📌 Key points of his platform:
– Abolition of the Gender Ministry: Continues to push for its removal, citing gender equality already achieved in legal terms.
– Youth-Centric Policies: Proposes reforms in education, employment, and housing aimed at young Koreans, particularly men in their 20s and 30s.
– Digital Governance: Promotes a tech-driven government and expansion of AI in public administration.
– Political Reform: Advocates for smaller government, decentralization, and more transparency in party financing.
– Anti-Establishment Message: Criticizes both major parties and seeks to redefine conservative values for a new generation.
👤 Lee Jae-myung (Democratic Party of Korea)
From factory floor to frontrunner
At 61, Lee Jae-myung is the liberal Democratic Party of Korea’s (DPK) candidate and the current frontrunner in the 2025 presidential race. Born into poverty, Lee worked in factories as a teenager, suffered a severe workplace injury, and later passed the bar exam to become a human rights lawyer. His political career spans roles as Mayor of Seongnam, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and DPK party leader.
Known for his populist tone, sharp rhetoric, and tenacity, Lee appeals to working-class voters and champions bold welfare policies. He narrowly lost the 2022 presidential election but returned to national politics as a lawmaker and now seeks a third run at the presidency.
📌 Key points of his platform:
– Welfare Expansion: Advocates for universal basic income, free school uniforms, and city-funded healthcare initiatives.
– Housing & Economy: Supports stronger housing regulations and active government intervention in the economy.
– Justice & Reform: Promises to fight corruption and promote fairness — despite facing legal controversies himself.
– Security & Foreign Policy: Favors diplomacy and inter-Korean cooperation while maintaining the U.S.-Korea alliance.
– Resilience & Image: Survived a 2024 knife attack and ongoing court cases — presenting himself as a fighter for the people.
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Last News
Overseas voting for election kicks off. How does it work?
Overseas voting for Korea’s June 3 presidential election began on May 20 across 118 countries, with over 258,000 registered voters. Eligible Koreans abroad can vote until May 25 at designated polling stations.
Gender equality policies virtually absent in presidential race
Gender equality is mostly absent from Korea’s presidential race. Major candidates offer few concrete pledges for women, with some pushing to abolish the gender ministry. Only Justice Party’s Kwon Young-kook proposes clear feminist policies, drawing criticism that young women voters are being ignored.
Presidential rivals sell economic policy visions around AI, deregulation, reshoring
Top presidential candidates in Korea vow bold economic reforms. Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo both promise ₩100 trillion AI investments. Lee backs defense and K-content; Kim focuses on tax cuts and labor reform. NRP’s Lee Jun-seok pushes deregulation and reshoring.
Candidates campaign for swing voters in key battleground
With South Korea’s June 3 election approaching, top candidates are focusing on Seoul to win over swing voters, especially youth, amid a tight race.
Presidential candidates set to face off in 1st TV debate
The first televised debate for South Korea's snap presidential election was held on Sunday, May 18, 2025. This debate featured four leading candidates and candidates will hold two more televised debates on May 23 and May 27, respectively, before election day.