South Korea will hold a snap presidential election on June 3, 2025, following the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted after attempting to impose martial law in December.
The decision was announced by acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who stated that the date allows political parties and electoral authorities sufficient time to prepare. Under South Korean law, a presidential election must be held within 60 days if the office becomes vacant.
President Yoon was removed from office by the Constitutional Court in March after it ruled that his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, constituted a grave violation of the constitution. Yoon’s short-lived decree, which attempted to deploy military forces to restrict parliamentary operations amid anti-government protests, sparked nationwide outrage and condemnation from both domestic and international observers.
Following Yoon’s ouster, Prime Minister Han assumed the role of acting president and will remain in that position until a new leader is elected and inaugurated.
South Korea now enters a critical political period, as major parties scramble to nominate candidates capable of restoring public trust after months of political instability.
