South Koreans returned to the polls on June 3 to choose a new head of state, following the dramatic downfall of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed after enforcing martial law, an act that triggered economic and political chaos unseen in decades, Yonhap reported.

The election, held exactly six months after Yoon’s controversial move, has attracted immense public interest. By 9 am, over 4mn people - roughly 9.2% of the 44.39mn registered voters - had already cast their votes across more than 14,000 polling stations. Early voting, conducted on May 29-30 drew 34.74% turnout, the second-highest since the system’s introduction in 2014.

Representing the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung has campaigned on holding those involved in the martial law incident accountable. His main rival, Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party, has criticised Lee’s legal troubles and confrontational political style, pledging to prevent any return to authoritarianism.

Three other candidates remain in the race: Lee Jun-seok of the New Reform Party, Kwon Young-guk of the Democratic Labour Party, and independent Song Jin-ho.

Polling ends at 8 pm, with vote counting to begin immediately. A result is expected by midnight, with final confirmation from the election commission between 7 and 9 am June 4. The winner will assume office without a transition period, with the inauguration likely held at the National Assembly.

Both main contenders have prioritised economic reform, particularly in AI, and agree on constitutional amendments to reform presidential term limits.

While the early voting system is designed to accommodate those unable to vote on election day, many locals remain wary. There is growing concern that storing early ballots until the main count invites tampering, with accusations of irregularities frequently surfacing online. Regardless of who wins, public confidence in the voting process itself may prove just as crucial as the result.