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.
Syria is initiating economic reformation by reopening its economic markets, which have been through complete Paralysis for the past six months- considering it as the longest shutdown ever since the over-decade war and sanctions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a temporary ceasefire with Russia until a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin can be arranged, as recent peace talks in Istanbul made only modest progress.
Iran and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in transit and logistics infrastructure, marking a significant step in strengthening regional trade routes.
Azerbaijani authorities have deported three foreign nationals accused of organizing illegal religious activities in violation of national laws, according to a joint statement issued by the State Security Service and the State Migration Service on Tuesday.
Azerbaijan is calling for closer regional cooperation with Central Asian neighbors to confront the escalating climate crisis in the Caspian Sea, said Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s presidential climate envoy and president of COP29, in an interview with The Times of Central Asia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a temporary ceasefire with Russia until a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin can be arranged, as recent peace talks in Istanbul made only modest progress.
Iran and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in transit and logistics infrastructure, marking a significant step in strengthening regional trade routes.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U.S. Ambassador David Perdue on Tuesday in a meeting that underscored both the hope for improved bilateral relations and the mounting strain over critical mineral exports.
Azerbaijani authorities have deported three foreign nationals accused of organizing illegal religious activities in violation of national laws, according to a joint statement issued by the State Security Service and the State Migration Service on Tuesday.
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.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
In a major blow to one of President Donald Trump’s key economic policies, a US federal court has blocked the administration’s sweeping global tariff regime, ruling that the White House overstepped its constitutional authority.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A cargo ship carrying around 800 electric vehicles caught fire off Alaska, forcing its 22 crew members to abandon the vessel amid rising concerns over maritime EV fires.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a temporary ceasefire with Russia until a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin can be arranged, as recent peace talks in Istanbul made only modest progress.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U.S. Ambassador David Perdue on Tuesday in a meeting that underscored both the hope for improved bilateral relations and the mounting strain over critical mineral exports.
Sixteen NATO allies, providing more than 40 ships, 25 aircraft and approximately 9,000 personnel, will take part in the 54th iteration of Baltic Operations, or BALTOPS 25.
Azerbaijan is calling for closer regional cooperation with Central Asian neighbors to confront the escalating climate crisis in the Caspian Sea, said Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s presidential climate envoy and president of COP29, in an interview with The Times of Central Asia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed a temporary ceasefire with Russia until a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin can be arranged, as recent peace talks in Istanbul made only modest progress.
Iran and Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in transit and logistics infrastructure, marking a significant step in strengthening regional trade routes.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with U.S. Ambassador David Perdue on Tuesday in a meeting that underscored both the hope for improved bilateral relations and the mounting strain over critical mineral exports.
Azerbaijani authorities have deported three foreign nationals accused of organizing illegal religious activities in violation of national laws, according to a joint statement issued by the State Security Service and the State Migration Service on Tuesday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment