Lee Jae-myung leads polls as voters choose amid political upheaval, economic fears, and Trump’s tariff hike.
Millions of South Koreans are casting their ballots Tuesday in a high-stakes snap election, just months after former President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and removed from office for briefly imposing martial law in December. He now faces trial on rebellion charges.
Liberal candidate Lee Jae-myung is the clear frontrunner, riding a wave of public anger toward Yoon’s conservative camp. His main rival, Kim Moon Soo, has struggled to unite moderates as his party grapples with internal divisions and backlash over Yoon’s actions.
The new president will take office immediately on Wednesday, skipping the traditional two-month transition. Whoever wins will face mounting challenges, including a sluggish economy, rising tensions with North Korea, and a looming trade dispute as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50% starting June 4.
More than 15 million people—nearly 35% of eligible voters—cast their ballots early during a two-day advance voting period. Final results are expected late Tuesday night.
Both Lee and Kim have pledged pragmatic diplomacy, supporting ties with the U.S. and regional partners. But analysts warn that financial markets and foreign policy space remain fragile amid Trump’s America-first policies.
Prospects for improving relations with North Korea appear slim, with Kim Jong Un ignoring diplomatic overtures and prioritizing ties with Russia. Lee has acknowledged a summit with the North is unlikely in the near future, though he supports renewed U.S.-North Korea dialogue.
The outcome of today’s vote will shape South Korea’s direction for the next five years—at a time of growing uncertainty both at home and abroad.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
Tesla has begun a small-scale robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas, deploying about 10 self-driving cars to pick up paying passengers in a limited area, as the state enacts new regulations for autonomous vehicles.
Israel has reopened its airspace briefly and plans to expand rescue flights to help tens of thousands stranded by widespread cancellations following U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Iran accused the U.S. of "destroying diplomacy" following airstrikes on its nuclear facilities and vowed a proportionate military response, with details to be decided by its military.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
The Israeli military says Iran has launched missiles at Israel, following Israeli air strikes on military sites in Tehran, Karaj, and other parts of Iran. Iranian air defences have been activated in multiple locations amid escalating hostilities.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
Tesla has begun a small-scale robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas, deploying about 10 self-driving cars to pick up paying passengers in a limited area, as the state enacts new regulations for autonomous vehicles.
China has condemned the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, warning it has undermined Washington’s credibility and risks triggering a broader regional crisis.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
The Israeli military says Iran has launched missiles at Israel, following Israeli air strikes on military sites in Tehran, Karaj, and other parts of Iran. Iranian air defences have been activated in multiple locations amid escalating hostilities.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
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