South Korea: DP Leader Lee Resigns to Pursue Presidential Bid
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Synopsis
Lee Jae-myung, leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, has resigned from his chairmanship to run for President in the June 3 elections after the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee is a leading candidate despite controversies surrounding him.
Key Takeaways
- Lee Jae-myung resigns as DP leader.
- Running for President in June 3 election.
- Former President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached.
- Constitution mandates election within 60 days.
- Public holiday declared for election date.
Seoul, April 9 (NationPress) Lee Jae-myung, the leader of South Korea's Democratic Party (DP), has officially resigned from his position as party chairman on Wednesday to enter the race for President in the upcoming election scheduled for June 3. This decision comes in the wake of the removal of former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee is widely regarded as a frontrunner for the presidency and is expected to announce his candidacy as early as Thursday. Despite facing multiple controversies, including a significant land development scandal in Seongnam, south of Seoul, he remains a key figure in the political landscape, according to reports from Yonhap news agency.
In 2022, Lee secured the chairmanship of the DP after narrowly losing to Yoon in the presidential election.
On April 8, the South Korean government officially confirmed June 3 as the date for the next presidential election, following the impeachment of former President Yoon. This decision was reached during a Cabinet meeting, just four days after the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon's impeachment, which stemmed from his controversial attempt to impose martial law in December.
In accordance with the Constitution, a new election must be held within 60 days following a presidential vacancy. The government has also declared June 3 a temporary public holiday.
After the dismissal of Yoon, the National Election Commission commenced early candidate registration. Candidates must register by May 11, with the official campaign period starting on May 12. Additionally, public servants intending to run for President must resign at least 30 days prior to the election, setting the deadline for this as May 4.
The newly elected President will assume office immediately after the election, without the formation of a transition team, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
The early election follows a similar precedent set in 2017 when former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office, and the subsequent election occurred exactly 60 days later, on May 9.
In a notable turn of events, Yoon, who swiftly transitioned from a top prosecutor to the presidency in just three years, has now become the second South Korean President to be formally removed from office. His unexpected martial law proposal has stirred deep political divides within the nation.
With this ruling, Yoon, aged 64, joins the ranks of former President Park Geun-hye, whose impeachment over a corruption scandal was upheld by the Constitutional Court in 2017.
