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.

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