South Korea’s political landscape is heating up ahead of the June 3 presidential election, as Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, announced his resignation on Wednesday—fueling speculation that he is poised to launch a second run for the presidency.
“I will now be starting new work,” Lee said during a party leadership meeting broadcast live on his YouTube channel. While he stopped short of officially declaring his candidacy, his departure as party head is widely seen as a strategic move to prepare for a national campaign.
Lee, 61, narrowly lost to former President Yoon Suk Yeol in the 2022 election by the slimmest margin in South Korean history. Since then, he has led the Democratic Party to a landslide victory in parliamentary elections, solidifying his status as a key liberal figure and current frontrunner in most opinion polls.
The upcoming election follows a dramatic turn in South Korean politics: Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office after a controversial declaration of martial law in December. The Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment on April 4, triggering the early presidential vote.
Meanwhile, the ruling conservative People Power Party is facing an open race with several contenders vying for the nomination. Among them, Labour Minister Kim Moon-soon formally declared his candidacy, joining a growing list that includes Seoul’s mayor and other party heavyweights.
Kim, a staunch conservative and vocal supporter of the impeached president, is currently leading the conservative field but trails Lee in a head-to-head matchup, according to recent opinion polls.
In announcing his campaign, Kim emphasized national security, vowing to deepen South Korea’s alliance with the United States and explore controversial nuclear policies. “In response to North Korea’s nuclear threat, I will become a global leader in defending freedom and human rights by securing nuclear fuel processing capabilities and developing nuclear-powered submarines,” Kim declared.
As the race intensifies, all eyes are now on Lee Jae-myung’s next move, which could officially launch a high-stakes showdown between the liberal icon and the conservative establishment.
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