Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — South Korea has announced it will hold a presidential election on June 3 to choose a new leader, following the official impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol last week.
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced the decision during a press briefing on Tuesday (April 8), saying the government had also designated the date as a national holiday to ensure broad voter participation.
“The 21st presidential election of the Republic of Korea will take place on June 3, 2025,” Han said, as reported by Kompas. “We have also decided to make it a public holiday to facilitate voting.”
Under Article 68, Clause 2 of the Constitution, a presidential election must be held within 60 days of a court ruling that removes a sitting president from office.
Yoon was officially dismissed on Friday (April 4), following a December 3, 2024, court ruling that found him guilty of abusing his powers by issuing a military emergency decree and deploying troops to disrupt parliamentary proceedings.
Though South Korean presidential elections are traditionally held on Wednesdays, this special election will break with that custom, as the legal provision governing regular elections does not apply when the presidency is vacant mid-term.
According to Article 34 of the Public Official Election Act, regular presidential elections are typically held on the first Wednesday after 70 days prior to the sitting president’s term expiration. However, no specific weekday is mandated when the office is vacated unexpectedly.
Campaign Timeline
Han said the government had coordinated closely with the National Election Commission and other relevant agencies to ensure a smooth electoral process.
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The prime minister also emphasized the importance of giving political parties adequate time to prepare their campaigns despite the accelerated timeline.
“We will make sure this election is fair and transparent,” Han said, urging all stakeholders to engage in thorough preparation, as reported by AFP.
Official campaigning will run from May 12 to June 2, a relatively brief period compared to standard election cycles. In another key difference, the winning candidate will be sworn in immediately the next day, skipping the customary two-month transition period typically afforded in regular elections.
The upcoming Presidential Election marks a pivotal moment for South Korea as it navigates a sudden leadership transition, with voters set to determine the country’s next president.
(Raidi/Agung)
