South Korea’s presidential candidates kicked off their campaigns on Monday, promising to heal a fractured nation, boost the economy, and navigate a trade dispute with the United States, ahead of the June 3 snap election triggered by the ousting of president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Following a political firestorm caused by Yoon’s controversial martial law order, which led to his removal from office, voters will now choose a new leader for Asia’s fourth-largest economy in just over a month.
The liberal Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung, a frontrunner in the race, launched his campaign in central Seoul, surrounded by thousands of blue-clad supporters. Energizing the crowd with campaign songs and chants of “Lee Jae-myung, president!”, he symbolically changed into sneakers onstage to show his commitment to hard work.
Lee, who narrowly lost the previous election to Yoon, has emerged as a resilient figure after surviving a knife attack and fending off a series of criminal charges, including bribery and involvement in a $1 billion property development scandal. His trials have been postponed until after the election.
Wearing a bulletproof vest due to ongoing threats, Lee pledged to unify the nation and tackle the economic impact of U.S. tariffs. His party’s platform centers on fostering artificial intelligence innovation and promoting South Korea’s influential K-pop culture. Lee also vowed to repair relations with North Korea and expand diplomatic ties with Europe.
Conservative challenger Kim Moon-soo, the official candidate of the People Power Party, launched his campaign with a visit to a Seoul wholesale market, sharing sausage soup with merchants. His focus is on reviving small businesses and job creation amid an economic slowdown.
After consolidating his campaign with that of a former prime minister, Kim gained the endorsement of the ousted Yoon. However, this move sparked division within the PPP, with some members pushing for Yoon’s expulsion from the party.
Kim’s policy agenda includes seeking a swift summit with U.S. president Donald Trump to renegotiate tariffs and reinforce the security alliance with Washington. He has also proposed exploring nuclear fuel reprocessing — a step that would move South Korea closer to nuclear armament.
As the campaign heats up, both candidates are trying to position themselves as agents of stability and progress in a nation still reeling from political turmoil and economic uncertainty.
Panic erupted on a Seoul subway train after a man allegedly set a fire onboard, prompting the evacuation of over 400 passengers through a tunnel and sending 21 people to hospital with minor injuries.
South Korea opened early voting for its upcoming presidential election on Thursday, with a record turnout as voters prepare to choose a new leader following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal from office.
South Korea’s presidential frontrunner Lee Jae-myung promises sweeping reforms in economy, foreign policy, and society ahead of the June 3 snap election.
South Korea’s liberal presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung pledges to restore communication hotlines with North Korea and strengthen strategic ties with the U.S. and regional partners if elected, aiming to improve regional stability amid ongoing tensions.
Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with the newly appointed Korean Ambassador Kang Kymgu to discuss deepening bilateral ties, regional issues, and cooperation in various fields including education, climate diplomacy, and technology.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
Ukraine has carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the war, reportedly hitting more than 40 Russian military aircraft at multiple air bases, a Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukraine will attend a meeting in Istanbul on Monday, following a proposal from Russia.
Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
McLaren's Australian driver Oscar Piastri won the Spanish Grand Prix, marking his fifth victory of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The death toll from a quarry collapse in Indonesia’s West Java province rose to 19, with six people still missing, officials said on Sunday.
Ukraine has outlined its formal negotiating framework ahead of planned peace talks with Russia, set to take place on June 2 in Istanbul, according to a full document seen by Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent said on Sunday that he expects President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to speak soon in an effort to resolve a growing dispute over critical minerals.
As Germany considers providing long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, military experts warn the move could enable Kyiv to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including Moscow — a shift that could escalate tensions and draw NATO closer to direct confrontation.
Ukraine has carried out one of its largest drone strikes of the war, reportedly hitting more than 40 Russian military aircraft at multiple air bases, a Ukrainian security official told Reuters on Sunday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that Ukraine will attend a meeting in Istanbul on Monday, following a proposal from Russia.
Flash floods in central Nigeria have killed at least 151 people, with authorities warning the toll may rise further as search and rescue operations continue in the flood-ravaged town of Mokwa, Niger State.
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