Prime Minister Han Dak Saw announces the date of the vote to select a successor to former leader Yun Sook-Yeol.
South Korea held a snap election on June 3, replacing Yoon Sook-Yeol, the country’s representative president said after the former president resigned over a short-lived declaration of martial law.
Acting President Han Dak Saw said on Tuesday that the government had decided on a date taking into account that “it is necessary to ensure smooth operation of election operations and ensure sufficient time for political parties to prepare.”
Han said the government discussed the issue with the National Election Commission and “other related bodies.”
South Korea’s constitutional court on Friday unanimously supported a Congressional decision on 2022’s five-year term of office, stating that conservative leaders had stepped over presidential authorities when they temporarily declared martial law later last year.
Under South Korean law, presidential elections must be held within 60 days of leadership taking office.
When Yoon declared martial law on December 3, he argued that a move was necessary to smash South Korea’s young democracy and overcome the obstacles and “anti-antibody” powers of political opposition.
The scene of soldiers facing legislators and aides in the National Assembly evoked the painful memories of past military dictatorships that shaky before the country’s transition to democracy in 1987.
Yoon lifted martial law within hours of the declaration after the National Assembly voted unanimously to overturn the order.
Democrat Lee Jae-myung is considered an overwhelming favourite for upcoming elections, but he faces several trials on corruption and other charges.
Han will continue to lead South Korea until the election, which will curb months of political turmoil in delicate periods for the country’s export exchange economy.
Last week, President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on South Korea’s imports as part of a “liberation day” trade measure aimed at almost all US trading partners.
Trump has exempted a small number of sectors from tariffs, including semiconductors, but the country’s automotive industry, a massive export of South Korean tech giants Samsung and SK Hynix, is working on another 25% tariff that came into effect last week.
Autos and other vehicles are South Korea’s top selling products in the US, accounting for 27% of US bound exports in 2024.
South Korean Trade Minister Jung Ying Kio departs for Washington on Tuesday, where he tries to negotiate relief from Trump’s tariffs.
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