DP and PPP race to top begins with impeachment leaving vacancy at presidency

With the top office in the country left vacant, the clock is ticking for an early election.

Rival parties look to be moving quickly.

Our political correspondent Kim Do-yeon takes a closer look.

The upcoming presidential election could mark the final chapter in the political turmoil triggered by the martial law declaration and the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

With the vote set to take place in less than 60 days, rival parties are moving quickly to prepare.

On Sunday, the Democratic Party of Korea is expected to announce the rules for its presidential primary, with a press briefing scheduled around lunchtime.

Meanwhile, party chair Lee Jae-myung -widely seen as the likely candidate -is expected to step down from his leadership role to enter the race.

Running as party chair could raise concerns about bias in the primary process.

While he has yet to make an official declaration, Lee has consistently led recent polls as the most favored candidate for the presidency.

Local media anticipate his formal announcement will follow once the presidential election date is officially confirmed.

In addition, politicians outside Lee's faction are also preparing to enter the race, with official announcements expected as early as Monday.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party is scheduled to hold a full-floor meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss its approach to the upcoming presidential election.

Key agenda items include setting the rules for the party's primary and addressing the fallout from the impeachment of its former president.

Unlike its rival, the PPP does not have a clear frontrunner, with some local media outlets expecting as many as 10 contenders to enter the race.

Among them is Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who finished second to Yoon Suk Yeol in the party's 2022 presidential primary and has hinted at another run.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is also frequently mentioned as a potential candidate.

The most high-profile name, however, is former party chair Han Dong-hoon -once a close confidant of Yoon, who later distanced himself from the former president and publicly supported impeachment following the martial law declaration.

As for the election, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is expected to set the date during the upcoming Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

With the legal deadline set at 60 days, June 3rd is widely seen as the most likely date, as it would mark exactly 60 days since Yoon's impeachment on April 4th.

Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.