News
Live from a polling station as voting gets underway in S. Korea's presidential election
2025/06/03 17:00
Hello and welcome to Arirang's special news coverage of the country's snap election. It's June third Election Day here in South Korea. I'm Min Sunhee. We start our special newscast at a polling place here in Capital Seoul as voting began at six o'clock this morning. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin has been on site since that early hour and joins me now. Sung-jin welcome back. Good to be with you, Sunny. So it continues to be an orderly voting process at your end? Right, Sunny, I am currently standing in front of a polling location in Sadang-dong, in Seoul's Dongjak-gu District. As it's now a little past 5PM here, it's been around 11 hours since voting began at 6AM this morning. I was out here since the early hours and the polling station seemed to have been most bustling when it first opened and around lunchtime. Now we can kind of feel that it has become a bit calmer as we head towards the final hours of the presidential election. The polling station I'm at is one of 14,295 nationwide and 2,260 from Seoul. We already saw the second-highest voter turnout rate for early voting, and many have gathered to vote since early this morning as well. Sunny, if I were to point something out that I spot more frequently here is that a lot of people are taking pictures in front of the polling station with a ballot stamp on their hand. This shows that a lot of Koreans are participating in a "ivoted" movement which also features so-called certification sheets with art or characters where people can stamp them to show that they've voted. Voters have come here to exercise their right to vote so have a listen to what some of them had to say. "Though results should be out after midnight, I'm sure a lot of people are looking out for it. It seems like more people are interested in politics nowadays because the economy is difficult. I want the world to be a fair place where I can succeed with my own skills." "I came out here to vote before going out with my family in the hope of picking a good leader for our country." Right "the hope of picking a good leader" is a universal one. Sung-jin for those who have yet to vote do you have any last-minute words of advice? So voting takes place from 6AM till 8PM, and voters must be 18 or above and bring a government issued ID. Unlike early voting, voters can only cast their ballot based on their registered address. Which polling station they can vote at can be found on a voting guide delivered to each household or through the National Election Commission website. Anyone who arrives at the polls and stands in line before the polls close has the right to vote. Taking selfies or pictures of the ballots, while inside the polling booths is strictly prohibited. That's all I have for now for this glimpse of the polling station in the early hours of today, and I will be back for more later. Back to you Sun-hee. All right Sung-jin thank you for that report and AGAIN for those words of caution against taking pictures.. within polling stations.
What South Koreans want from new president
2025/06/03 17:00
These days, the issue of young people taking breaks from work is becoming a major social problem. I think resolving that issue should be the top priority. The five-year term can feel long or short depending on how you look at it. I hope the next government focuses on the policies it proposes and follows through on its promises. When it comes to climate issues, I hope the government shows more interest in renewable energy and reconsiders its stance on nuclear phase-out policies. I think we need to end the hierarchy among universities and reduce reliance on the private education market to move toward a more equal education system. No matter who gets elected, if they made campaign pledges, I hope they will at least keep one of them. Since I'm self-employed, I hope there's more support for and attention given to small business owners. My biggest hope is for stable housing to be properly addressed. I hope the new government will consider those who have less, and that people will put sharing into practice. As someone in my early thirties, I'm thinking about marriage. While I think there are already some decent policies, it's still hard for young people to prepare for marriage. I hope there will be more support, like relaxing loan regulations or easing related policies.
Here's what each S. Korea's presidential candidates' economic visions look like
2025/06/03 17:00
Now while the top three candidates differ on diplomacy they all agree on the dire state of the Korean economy. That being said our business correspondent Lee Soo-jin takes a look at their respective economic prescriptions. Do take a listen. With economic institutions both at home and abroad revising down their growth projections for South Korea, economic pledges are taking center stage in the presidential race. "The domestic economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter ---negative growth. How can our people make a living like this? Please elect Lee Jae-myung, a capable, loyal, and well-prepared worker, as president." "It's true that Korea is now in a slump, with very low growth, among the worst globally, right? I will bring this economy back to life as a president of the economy, everyone!" Half of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledges focus on the economy, while seven out of ten of People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo's are economic pledges. And Lee's top economic pledge and Kim's second is artificial intelligence, signaling how both view it as central to Korea's economic growth. Both propose investing 100 trillion won, or around 71 billion U.S. dollars, into fostering the AI industry but their plans of how they'll use these funds differ. Lee Jae-myung's "AI for All" initiative aims to expand public access by offering free, advanced AI services, including a Korean version of ChatGPT, while also pledging to secure over 50 thousand high-performance GPUs. Kim, plans to set up a public-private fund to foster AI unicorns and vows to train 200-thousand young specialists through graduate programs and software-focused universities. But both agree that Korea's regulations are outdated with Lee calling for special exemptions, and Kim pushing to align regulations with global standards. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, currently third in the polls, has proposed market-driven AI innovation with minimal state intervention. And another issue that has garnered much attention is each candidate's bid to improve work-life balance. " he (Lee Jae-myung) also focused on a 4-point-5 day workweek that is aimed at reducing worker fatigue and improving their work-life balance, . If you look at Kim Moon-soo's proposal, he believes that with good negotiations between workers and employers, a more flexible situation can be achieved without dramatic changes." Lee has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons , without reducing wages. Kim's plan, adds an extra hour per day from Monday to Thursday for a shorter Friday without reducing total hours, and includes exemptions to the 52-hour cap for the semiconductor sector. And Lee Jun-seok,.. instead of a 4-point-5-day workweek proposal, has pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Though each candidate's visions differ, their focus on the economy underscores its central role in this election. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.
The foreign policy stakes behind South Korea’s vote
2025/06/03 17:00
Granted the most important task for the new administration is that related to the bread-and-butter issues affecting ordinary Koreans BUT also important is its foreign policy direction especially keeping in mind the current state of geopolitics. Our Kim Jung-sil covers the diplomatic policy proposals of the top three contenders. Three front-runners. Three different visions for South Korea's role on the global stage. In their final televised debate, the candidates outlined foreign policy agendas that could reshape the country's position in a region facing rapid change. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung called for balance between the U.S. alliance and stable ties with China and Russia. He warned of a diplomatic vacuum since the December 3rd martial law unrest and said South Korea's approach must evolve. "The U.S. alliance is the foundation of our foreign policy. It must be developed practically, inclusively, and with a long-term vision. But we must not neglect ties with China and Russia, they require careful, strategic management." On North Korea, Lee seems to be charting a different course from past progressive leaders, favoring step-by-step engagement over demands for immediate denuclearization. Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo took a harder line, saying diplomacy must be backed by strength. "Kim Jong-un's dictatorship threatens our lives and property with nuclear weapons and missile provocations. I will build a transparent, principled inter-Korean relationship and strengthen our defenses by reinforcing nuclear deterrence through the U.S. alliance." At the same time, his team told Arirang News he's open to meeting North Korea's leader, while supporting economic and cultural engagement, as long as it's grounded in South Korea's constitutional principle of one unified nation. At 40, Lee Jun-seok is the youngest candidate in the race. Last week, he laid out his latest foreign policy vision, backed by sweeping institutional reform. "The president of South Korea must have international experience and a practical mindset. If elected, I will merge the unification and foreign ministries, and appoint a deputy prime minister for national security to oversee foreign affairs, unification and defense policies." Lee says South Korea should lead its alliance and not just rely on it. Three visions for South Korea's future on the world stage. By tonight, one of them will begin to shape it. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
ELECTION WINNER TO ENTER TOP OFFICE IMMEDIATELY
2025/06/03 17:00
In this segment of our special news coverage we touch upon the election and its implications on diplomacy defense and the economy with a local pundit. For more I have Doctor Bong Youngshik a visiting professor at Yonsei University here in the studio. Dr. Bong it's a pleasure to have you here. 1-1) Dr. Bong, contrary to initial expectations, turnout for EARLY VOTING did not surpass the high noted in 2022 of 36.9% 1-2) Dr. Bong, when might we learn about the outcome of this presidential election? 2) Dr. Bong, this time tomorrow, a new administration will be in office seeking to chart a path forward for South Korea, and I'd like to touch upon the tasks ahead. 3) Likewise, Dr. Bong, what would be the strategy adopted by a conservative leader to talks with the U.S. over tariffs? 4) Dr. Bong, with regard to Seoul's North Korea policy, do you believe we'll see a tangible discrepancy in policy depending on which party takes on the ruling role? 5) And Dr. Bong, beyond politics, as a scholar, between the choice of carrots and sticks, what do you propose in dealing with North Korea? 6) Dr. Bong, staying with security matters and keeping in mind the current state of geopolitics, do you believe the next South Korean president, regardless of his political affiliation, will serve to keep Seoul's ties with Tokyo on a future-oriented track? 7) Dr. Bong, is the Trump administration a reliable partner for Seoul? 8) Dr. Bong, Mr. Trump's Oval Office receptions of his foreign counterparts are causing a bit of concern. 9) Dr. Bong, back on domestic politics. 10) Dr. Bong, one thing the contenders managed to agree upon during their final debate was that the Korean society is deeply divided. All right.
Foreign media outlets reporting in real time on S. Korea's presidential election
2025/06/03 17:00
And the political events taking place here in South Korea over the past few months have been making quite a bit of international headlines as well. Our Kim Bo-kyoung reports. Those in South Korea are not the only ones eagerly waiting to see who will be the next president. Many foreign media outlets are reporting on South Korea's presidential election in real time, as they pay close attention to who the next leader might be. Reuters, said South Koreans were voting "to cap six months of turmoil triggered by a shock martial law by former leader, " and highlighted the challenges new leader would face: a society scarred by the attempt at military rule, and an export-heavy economy reeling from unpredictable protectionist moves by the United States. CNN, pointed out how significant this election is, to the country. as it has floundered for months with interim leaders that keep changing while navigating Yoon's impeachment trial and an investigation into the short-lived martial law. It highlighted how voters are most interested in the country's flailing economy and rising cost of living, that were partly caused due to Trump's trade war as it hit South Korea's export-reliant economy hard. That is why both candidates focused on the economy, CNN said, while underlining other problems such as the demographic crisis and regional tensions that must be tackled as well. BBC shed light on how some voters are having a dilemma, of whether they would vote or not as neither of the leading candidates are very popular in the polls, while British newspaper Independent focused on high early voting turnout. Neighboring countries' media outlets, including Japanese broadcaster NHK, and Chinese Xinhua News Agency covered the election, with Xinhua explaining that this snap election is being held due to the failed attempt at martial law by former President Yoon and his subsequent removal from office. Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.
Live at PPP situation room: Conservatives monitor voting from National Assembly
2025/06/03 17:00
Up next we touch base with the conservative camp ALSO at the National Assembly preparing for its members to gather for the vote count. I have our correspondent Oh Soo-young standing by live. Soo-young what's the atmosphere like there at the PPP? We still have roughly three hours until polling stations close, so party officials will open up the situation room set up at the National Assembly library where I am now to more members of the press. The mood within the party I would say is mixed. There's hope which springs eternal in any election campaign, but also a sense of inevitability and anxiety. Kim has lagged behind the Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung in national polls throughout the campaign by around 10 percentage points, with some polls showing an even wider gap. Still, there's cautious optimism that Kim did his absolute best in the campaign, and there'll be a turnaround among the so-called shy conservatives and undecided voters. As per tradition, Kim Moon-soo himself will monitor the voting and ballot counting process from his home in Gwanak-gu District, southern Seoul. Earlier today, he put out a statement on Facebook urging voters to prevent DP's Lee Jae-myung from coming to power, saying this election is the "final opportunity" to block a -quote -monstrous autocracy. He called on voters to defend "liberal democracy, the rule of law, market economy, and the South Korea-U.S. alliance." If the vote count indicates Kim may be the winner, he'll come to the situation room here at the National Assembly tonight. Key PPP figures will be on standby at the party's election headquarters from 7:30 p.m. All right Soo-young thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp.
Live at DP situation room: Liberals monitor voting from National Assembly
2025/06/03 17:00
We turn now to the National Assembly where the two main political parties have set up camps to monitor the vote count that is slated to begin after polling stations close doors at eight in the evening. First then Moon Hye-ryeon joins me from the liberal camp. Hye-ryeon, it's good to have you on again. So what's the latest there where you are? Good afternoon, Sunny. I'm standing in the main conference hall where the DP has set up its situation room, and party members will be gathering here later this afternoon. As you can see behind me, there are two big screens toward the front of the stage and ten smaller screens set up on the stage itself, which is how the party and its candidate Lee Jae-myung will be watching the vote count unfold once the polls close at 8 PM. Lee is resting at his home in Gyeyang, Incheon, as he has no official schedule for today after finishing up his final rally last night. Earlier today, he posted a message on his Facebook profile appealing for voter participation. Referring to the protests that took place here in Yeouido following the martial law declaration on December 3rd last year, he said that a win in this election wouldn't be a win for him, but a win for the people. He's expected to head over here once the voting concludes and the results begin to take shape. Once they do roll in, they will no doubt influence the atmosphere and energy in this room. Lee was the forerunner in national polls before the blackout for new polls six days ago, so expectations are high among party members hoping to ride that momentum to a win tonight. With all eyes now on how tonight's results will unfold, that's all I have for now. I'll be back with more updates in a later newscast. Back to you, Sunny. All right Hye-ryeon, thank you for the latest from the liberal camp.
Voter turnout for S. Korea's 21st presidential election at 71.5% as of 4 PM
2025/06/03 17:00
We are counting down THREE hours to the end of the election as polling places are poised to close doors at eight this evening. Now for a glimpse of the turnout thus far I have our Lee Eun-hee standing by live at the National Election Commission. Eun-hee it's great to have you on. So what has been shared about the voter turnout as we speak? Well Sunny, I'm at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon City, where officials are keeping track of the voter turnout. It's about 11 hours since the polls opened this morning at 6 AM. Over 30 million people have cast their ballots for the 21st presidential election, and as of 4 PM we are seeing the highest turnout up to that time for any Korean presidential election with the voter turnout at 71-point-5 percent. As voter turnout continues to rise, the current turnout as of 5 PM is -point-percent, which includes early voters. Figures by region are as of 4 PM. Jeollanam-do Province, which showed the highest early voter turnout rate, is showing the highest total voter turnout at 79-point-3 percent. The lowest turnout is on Jeju Island at 68-point-1 percent. Daegu, which had the lowest early voter turnout, now stands at 70-point-4 percent. Busan is at 69 percent while Gwangju is at 78-point-3 percent. Incheon stands at 69-point-8 percent and Daejeon stands at 71 percent. The capital Seoul is seeing a turnout of 71-point-5 percent. Gyeonggi-do Province stands at 71-point-4 percent, while Jeollabuk-do Province is at 77-point-5 percent. For other provinces, turnout in Chungcheongbuk-do is 69-point-7 percent, Chungcheongnam-do 68-point-7 percent, Gyeongsangbuk-do 71-point-1 percent, and Gyeongsangnam-do 70-point-1 percent. So far, the hourly voter turnout is slightly higher than in the 2022 presidential election, which ended with a final turnout of 77-point-1 percent. Now, focus is on the final turnout rate. Right and Eun-hee when might we learn about the result of this latest election? Yes, Sunny. Once the voting ends at 8 PM, the ballot boxes will be sealed and taken to counting centers under police escort. Counting begins soon after and the National Election Commission expects counting to be finished by around 6:00 AM Wednesday morning. The result should become clear by midnight, once 70 to 80 percent of votes are counted. However, final results of course may take longer depending on voter turnout and how close the race is. Once counting is done, the NEC will hold a full committee meeting in which the new president will be formally declared. This meeting is expected to happen between 7 and 9 AM on Wednesday, and the process should only take 5 to 10 minutes. The new president's term will immediately begin. On Monday, Noh Tae-ak, Chairman of the National Election Commission, urged active voter participation, emphasizing the importance of creating a united South Korea through voting. Noh assured the public that the NEC has prioritized transparency, highlighting measures such as 24-hour CCTV at early voting stations and a vote paper inspection system, both implemented in last year's general election. Authorities are focusing on safety management as well. The National Fire Agency has launched special emergency operations at over 15-thousand polling and counting stations nationwide, running until ballot counting ends. Also this morning at 6 AM, police declared the highest level of emergency alert, mobilizing all available personnel. This heightened readiness will continue until the new president's inauguration is complete and he arrives at his office on Wednesday. Around 60-thousand officers are assigned to polling station security, 45-thousand to ballot transport and 7-thousand to counting center protection. That's all I have for now, I'll be back with more updates later. Back to you, Sunny. Please do so Eun-hee and thank you for now.
Live from a polling station as voting gets underway in S. Korea's presidential election
2025/06/03 14:00
We start our special newscast at a polling place here in Capital Seoul as voters have been heading to polling stations to cast their ballots for the next president starting six this morning. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin has been on site since that hour and joins me now. Sung-jin it's good to have you on. So I hear it's been an orderly process thus far? Good afternoon Sunny. I am currently standing in front of a polling location in Sadang-dong, in Seoul's Dongjak-gu District. As it's now a little past 2PM here, it's been around 8 hours since voting began at 6AM this morning. I was out here since the early hours, and similar to the early voting, as the day went on, we saw more people coming in to cast their vote. The election taking place today is the first one since the COVID-19 pandemic. In that previous election, masks were mandatory and regular voters were separated from those that were under isolation. The polling station I'm at is one of 14,295 nationwide and 2,260 from Seoul. We already saw the second-highest voter turnout rate for early voting, and many have gathered to vote early this morning as well. Have a listen to some of the voters. "I came to vote to pick someone that can lead our country. Because our country is so polarized and going through a difficult time, we need someone who can bring harmony as a transparent politician." "Now that I've finished voting, I'm going to go to work right away. I hope someone honest becomes the president." Sung-jin polling places nationwide will remain open until EIGHT P.M. this evening. For those who have yet to vote what are some things for them to keep in mind before heading to exercise their civic duty? So voting takes place from 6AM till 8PM, and voters must be 18 or above and bring a government issued ID. Unlike early voting, voters can only cast their ballot based on their registered address. Which polling station they can vote at can be found on a voting guide delivered to each household or through the National Election Commission website. Anyone who arrives at the polls and stands in line before the polls close has the right to vote. Taking selfies or pictures of the ballots, while inside the polling booths is strictly prohibited. That's all I have for now for this glimpse of the polling station in the early hours of today, and I will be back for more later. Back to you Sun-hee. All right Sung-jin thank you for that report and the words of caution against taking pictures.. within polling stations. That was our Ahn Sung-jin reporting outside a polling place here in Seoul.
What South Koreans want from new president
2025/06/03 14:00
These days, the issue of young people taking breaks from work is becoming a major social problem. I think resolving that issue should be the top priority. The five-year term can feel long or short depending on how you look at it. I hope the next government focuses on the policies it proposes and follows through on its promises. When it comes to climate issues, I hope the government shows more interest in renewable energy and reconsiders its stance on nuclear phase-out policies. I think we need to end the hierarchy among universities and reduce reliance on the private education market to move toward a more equal education system. No matter who gets elected, if they made campaign pledges, I hope they will at least keep one of them. Since I'm self-employed, I hope there's more support for and attention given to small business owners. My biggest hope is for stable housing to be properly addressed. I hope the new government will consider those who have less, and that people will put sharing into practice. As someone in my early thirties, I'm thinking about marriage. While I think there are already some decent policies, it's still hard for young people to prepare for marriage. I hope there will be more support, like relaxing loan regulations or easing related policies.
Here's what each S. Korea's presidential candidates' economic visions look like
2025/06/03 14:00
Now while the top three candidates differ on diplomacy they all agree on the dire state of the Korean economy. That being said our business correspondent Lee Soo-jin takes a look at their respective economic prescriptions. Do take a listen. With economic institutions both at home and abroad revising down their growth projections for South Korea, economic pledges are taking center stage in the presidential race. "The domestic economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter ---negative growth. How can our people make a living like this? Please elect Lee Jae-myung, a capable, loyal, and well-prepared worker, as president." "It's true that Korea is now in a slump, with very low growth, among the worst globally, right? I will bring this economy back to life as a president of the economy, everyone!" Half of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledges focus on the economy, while seven out of ten of People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo's are economic pledges. And Lee's top economic pledge and Kim's second is artificial intelligence, signaling how both view it as central to Korea's economic growth. Both propose investing 100 trillion won, or around 71 billion U.S. dollars, into fostering the AI industry but their plans of how they'll use these funds differ. Lee Jae-myung's "AI for All" initiative aims to expand public access by offering free, advanced AI services, including a Korean version of ChatGPT, while also pledging to secure over 50 thousand high-performance GPUs. Kim, plans to set up a public-private fund to foster AI unicorns and vows to train 200-thousand young specialists through graduate programs and software-focused universities. But both agree that Korea's regulations are outdated ---with Lee calling for special exemptions, and Kim pushing to align regulations with global standards. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, currently third in the polls, has proposed market-driven AI innovation with minimal state intervention. And another issue that has garnered much attention is each candidate's bid to improve work-life balance. " he (Lee Jae-myung) also focused on a 4-point-5 day workweek that is aimed at reducing worker fatigue and improving their work-life balance, . If you look at Kim Moon-soo's proposal, he believes that with good negotiations between workers and employers, a more flexible situation can be achieved without dramatic changes." Lee has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons , without reducing wages. Kim's plan, adds an extra hour per day from Monday to Thursday for a shorter Friday without reducing total hours, and includes exemptions to the 52-hour cap for the semiconductor sector. And Lee Jun-seok,.. instead of a 4-point-5-day workweek proposal, has pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Though each candidate's visions differ, their focus on the economy underscores its central role in this election. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.
The foreign policy stakes behind South Korea’s vote
2025/06/03 14:00
Granted the most important task for the new administration is that related to the bread-and-butter issues affecting ordinary Koreans BUT also important is its foreign policy direction especially keeping in mind the current state of geopolitics. Our Kim Jung-sil covers the foreign policy proposals of the top three contenders. Three front-runners. Three different visions for South Korea's role on the global stage. In their final televised debate, the candidates outlined foreign policy agendas that could reshape the country's position in a region facing rapid change. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung called for balance between the U.S. alliance and stable ties with China and Russia. He warned of a diplomatic vacuum since the December 3rd martial law unrest and said South Korea's approach must evolve. "The U.S. alliance is the foundation of our foreign policy. It must be developed practically, inclusively, and with a long-term vision. But we must not neglect ties with China and Russia, they require careful, strategic management." On North Korea, Lee seems to be charting a different course from past progressive leaders, favoring step-by-step engagement over demands for immediate denuclearization. Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo took a harder line, saying diplomacy must be backed by strength. "Kim Jong-un's dictatorship threatens our lives and property with nuclear weapons and missile provocations. I will build a transparent, principled inter-Korean relationship and strengthen our defenses by reinforcing nuclear deterrence through the U.S. alliance." At the same time, his team told Arirang News he's open to meeting North Korea's leader, while supporting economic and cultural engagement, as long as it's grounded in South Korea's constitutional principle of one unified nation. At 40, Lee Jun-seok is the youngest candidate in the race. Last week, he laid out his latest foreign policy vision, backed by sweeping institutional reform. "The president of South Korea must have international experience and a practical mindset. If elected, I will merge the unification and foreign ministries, and appoint a deputy prime minister for national security to oversee foreign affairs, unification and defense policies." Lee says South Korea should lead its alliance and not just rely on it. Three visions for South Korea's future on the world stage. By tonight, one of them will begin to shape it. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
Reform Party candidate wraps up campaign focusing on young, conservative voters
2025/06/03 14:00
Moving on. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok was in the southern port city of Busan early this morning having wrapped up his campaign in the conservative stronghold of Daegu City Monday evening. Ahead of this final rally Lee sat down separately with students at the Korea Polytechnic University in Gyeonggi-do Province and their counterparts at Yeungnam University in Gyeongsan Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Later today he's also scheduled to head to his party's camp at the National Assembly for the vote count.
Live at PPP situation room: Conservatives monitor voting from National Assembly
2025/06/03 14:00
Up next we touch base with the conservative camp ALSO at the National Assembly preparing for its members to gather for the vote count. I have our correspondent Oh Soo-young standing by live. Soo-young it's good to have you on. So what's the latest at your end? Well, as voting will take place over the next six or so hours, the situation room here is still quite empty as of now. The wait continues with mixed emotions among party members. There's hope which springs eternal in any election campaign, but also a sense of inevitability and anxiety. Kim has lagged behind the Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung in national polls throughout the campaign by around 10 percentage points, with some polls showing an even wider gap. Still, there's cautious optimism that Kim did his absolute best in the campaign, and there'll be a turnaround among the so-called shy conservatives and undecided voters. As per tradition, Kim Moon-soo himself will monitor the voting and ballot counting process from his home in Gwanak-gu District, southern Seoul. If the vote count indicates he may be the winner, he come to the situation room here at the National Assembly tonight. Key PPP figures will be on standby at the party's election headquarters from 7:30 p.m. Soo-young I understand Kim Moon-soo sought out supporters in several cities over a span of some ten hours yesterday. Do tell us more. That's right. Literally pulling out all the stops on his last day of campaigning, People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo travelled across five cities in ten hours. From the southern island of Jeju to the capital of Seoul, the 73-year old candidate pledged to reform governance to meet the demands of the people. He apologised for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration, which has tainted his party by association. As he stopped by Busan for the third time, the conservative stronghold of Daegu, and the central city of Daejeon, Kim lashed out against his Democratic Party rival Lee Jae-myung, warning against his style of dictatorial governance, and raised a red flag on Lee's family scandals. Kim stressed that his own wife had never used a corporate card and that his daughter had never publicly uttered vulgar language, like Lee's son allegedly did. Stood on stage with his family at Seoul City Hall square, Kim held his final rally in the Korean capital. The PPP candidate emphasised unity with former rivals from the party primary, including Na Kyung-won, Ahn Cheol-soo, and Han Dong-hoon, to prevent what he called a dictatorship under Lee Jae-myung. After failing to achieve a joint conservative ticket with Reform Party's Lee Jun-seok, Kim further called on voters to back him, not Reform's candidate, saying a split vote would only help the DP's Lee Jae-myung win. (Korean) Over 22 days of official campaigning, Kim has travelled over 73-hundred kilometers to hold 157 events. All right Soo-young thank you for that coverage of the conservative camp.
Live at DP situation room: Liberals monitor voting from National Assembly
2025/06/03 14:00
We turn now to the National Assembly where the two main political parties have set up camps to watch the vote count that is slated to begin after polling stations close doors at eight in the evening. First then our Moon Hye-ryeon joins me now from the liberal camp. Hye-ryeon welcome. It's a little after two in the afternoon and judging from the scene behind you I assume it's still relatively quiet there? Good morning, Sunny. I'm here at the building's main conference hall which is where the DP has set up its situation room. It's relatively quiet given that it's still early in the day and party members are expected to gather here later this afternoon. As you can see behind me, there are two big screens toward the front of the stage and ten smaller screens set up on the stage itself, which is how the party and its candidate Lee Jae-myung will be watching the vote count unfold once the polls close at 8 PM. Lee will be resting at his home in Gyeyang, Incheon, as he has no official schedule for today after finishing up his final rally last night. While nothing has been confirmed as of yet, he's expected to head over here once the voting concludes and the results begin to take shape. Once they do roll in, they will no doubt influence the atmosphere and energy in this room. Lee was the forerunner in national polls before the blackout for new polls six days ago, so expectations are high among party members hoping to ride that momentum to a win tonight. Hye-ryeon before you go do tell us a bit MORE about Lee Jae-myung's final public rally at Seoul's Yeouido Monday night. That's right, as campaign activity is banned on Election Day, last night was Lee's final opportunity to appeal to the public face-to-face. For his final rally, he returned to Yeouido, where the National Assembly building that I'm currently at is located, and which is also the symbolic heart of the December 3rd martial law protests. Let's take a listen to what he said. "Tomorrow's vote will decide: end the insurrection or continue it, restore livelihoods or destroy them, grow the economy or wreck it." After the rally, Lee livestreamed on YouTube to make a final appeal. Sitting in front of the camera, he told viewers he was still "three votes short" and urged them to "help carry him across the finish line." Over the past 22 days, Lee's campaign traveled over five thousand kilometers, taking him to 66 rallies with 236-thousand people on the trail. His last day of campaigning took him across key battlegrounds in the Seoul metropolitan area — from Gangbuk to Gangseo, and finally to Seongnam, where he first entered politics. Lee pledged to order an immediate review of the economic situation should he take office, placing urgent focus on recovering livelihoods. With all eyes now on how tonight's results will unfold, that's all I have for now. I'll be back with more updates in a later newscast. Back to you, Sunny. All right Hye-ryeon thank you for the latest from the liberal camp.
Voter turnout for S. Korea's 21st presidential election at 62.1% as of 1 PM
2025/06/03 14:00
It's been a little over eight hours since voting began at six this morning and for a glimpse of the turnout thus far I have our Lee Eun-hee standing by live at the National Election Commission. Eun-hee good afternoon! So what has been shared about the voter turnout nationwide as we speak? Well Sunny, I'm at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon City, where officials are keeping track of the voter turnout. It's been about 8 hours since the polls opened this morning at 6 AM. The current turnout as of 2 PM is -point-percent, and this figure factors in numbers from early voting. Figures by region are as of 1 PM. Jeollanam-do Province, which showed the highest early voter turnout rate, is showing the highest total voter turnout at 74-point-1 percent. The lowest turnout is in Busan at 58-point-1 percent. Daegu, which had the lowest early voter turnout, now stands at 59-point-3 percent, the second-lowest turnout rate so far. Gwangju is at 71-point-6 percent, while Incheon is at 60-point-1 percent and Daejeon stands at 62-point-1 percent. The capital Seoul is seeing a turnout of 61-point-2 percent. Gyeonggi-do Province stands at 61-point-6 percent, while Jeollabuk-do Province is at 71-point-8 percent. In terms of other provinces, turnout in Chungcheongbuk-do is 61-point-2 percent, Chungcheongnam-do 60-point-3 percent, Gyeongsangbuk-do 61-point-8 percent, and Gyeongsangnam-do 60-point-5 percent. So far, the hourly voter turnout is slightly higher than in the 2022 presidential election, which ended with a final turnout of 77-point-1 percent. Now, focus is on the final turnout rate. Right and Eun-hee when might we learn about the result of this latest election? Yes, Sunny. Once the voting ends at 8 PM, the ballot boxes will be sealed and taken to counting centers under police escort. Counting begins soon after and the National Election Commission expects counting to be finished by around 6:00 AM Wednesday morning. The result should become clear by midnight, once 70 to 80 percent of votes are counted. However, final results of course may take longer depending on voter turnout and how close the race is. Once counting is done, the NEC will hold a full committee meeting in which the new president will be formally declared. This meeting is expected to happen between 7 and 9 AM on Wednesday, and the process should only take 5 to 10 minutes. The new president's term will immediately begin. On Monday, Noh Tae-ak, Chairman of the National Election Commission, urged active voter participation, emphasizing the importance of creating a united South Korea through voting. Noh assured the public that the NEC has prioritized transparency, highlighting measures such as 24-hour CCTV at early voting stations and a vote paper inspection system, both implemented in last year's general election. Authorities are focusing on safety management as well. The National Fire Agency has launched special emergency operations at over 15-thousand polling and counting stations nationwide, running until ballot counting ends. Also this morning at 6 AM, police declared the highest level of emergency alert, mobilizing all available personnel. This heightened readiness will continue until the new president's inauguration is complete and he arrives at his office on Wednesday. Around 60-thousand officers are assigned to polling station security, 45-thousand to ballot transport and 7-thousand to counting center protection. That's all I have for now, I'll be back with more updates later. Back to you, Sunny. All right Eun-hee thank you for the latest from the National Election Commission.
The foreign policy stakes behind South Korea’s vote
2025/06/03 10:00
Regardless of who wins the election, the incoming administration needs to reset South Korea's foreign policy as one of the core national missions, especially after months of a hiatus in diplomacy. But how this is done will vary depending on who actually becomes the next president. Our Kim Jung-sil reports. Three front-runners. Three different visions for South Korea's role on the global stage. In their final televised debate, the candidates outlined foreign policy agendas that could reshape the country's position in a region facing rapid change. Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung called for balance between the U.S. alliance and stable ties with China and Russia. He warned of a diplomatic vacuum since the December 3rd martial law unrest and said South Korea's approach must evolve. "The U.S. alliance is the foundation of our foreign policy. It must be developed practically, inclusively, and with a long-term vision. But we must not neglect ties with China and Russia, they require careful, strategic management." On North Korea, Lee seems to be charting a different course from past progressive leaders, favoring step-by-step engagement over demands for immediate denuclearization. Conservative candidate Kim Moon-soo took a harder line, saying diplomacy must be backed by strength. "Kim Jong-un's dictatorship threatens our lives and property with nuclear weapons and missile provocations. I will build a transparent, principled inter-Korean relationship and strengthen our defenses by reinforcing nuclear deterrence through the U.S. alliance." At the same time, his team told Arirang News he's open to meeting North Korea's leader, while supporting economic and cultural engagement, as long as it's grounded in South Korea's constitutional principle of one unified nation. At 40, Lee Jun-seok is the youngest candidate in the race. Last week, he laid out his latest foreign policy vision, backed by sweeping institutional reform. "The president of South Korea must have international experience and a practical mindset. If elected, I will merge the unification and foreign ministries, and appoint a deputy prime minister for national security to oversee foreign affairs, unification and defense policies." Lee says South Korea should lead its alliance and not just rely on it. Three visions for South Korea's future on the world stage. By tonight, one of them will begin to shape it. Kim Jung-sil, Arirang News.
What South Koreans want from new president
2025/06/03 12:00
These days, the issue of young people taking breaks from work is becoming a major social problem. I think resolving that issue should be the top priority. The five-year term can feel long or short depending on how you look at it. I hope the next government focuses on the policies it proposes and follows through on its promises. When it comes to climate issues, I hope the government shows more interest in renewable energy and reconsiders its stance on nuclear phase-out policies. I think we need to end the hierarchy among universities and reduce reliance on the private education market to move toward a more equal education system. No matter who gets elected, if they made campaign pledges, I hope they will at least keep one of them. Since I'm self-employed, I hope there's more support for and attention given to small business owners. My biggest hope is for stable housing to be properly addressed. I hope the new government will consider those who have less, and that people will put sharing into practice. As someone in my early thirties, I'm thinking about marriage. While I think there are already some decent policies, it's still hard for young people to prepare for marriage. I hope there will be more support, like relaxing loan regulations or easing related policies.
Here's what each S. Korea's presidential candidates' economic visions look like
2025/06/03 12:00
Another top priority for all three frontrunners is revitalizing South Korea's shrinking economy, a pledge that has taken center stage throughout the campaign. Our economics correspondent Lee Soo-jin breaks down what each candidate is proposing to help get the economy back on its feet. With economic institutions both at home and abroad revising down their growth projections for South Korea, economic pledges are taking center stage in the presidential race. "The domestic economy shrank by 0.2% in the first quarter ---negative growth. How can our people make a living like this? Please elect Lee Jae-myung, a Lee Jae-myung, a capable, loyal, and well-prepared worker, as president." "It's true that Korea is now in a slump, with very low growth, among the worst globally, right? I will bring this economy back to life as a president of the economy, everyone!" Half of Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung's pledges focus on the economy, while seven out of ten of People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo's are economic pledges. And Lee's top economic pledge and Kim's second is artificial intelligence, signaling how both view it as central to Korea's economic growth. Both propose investing 100 trillion won, or around 71 billion U.S. dollars, into fostering the AI industry but their plans of how they'll use these funds differ. Lee Jae-myung's "AI for All" initiative aims to expand public access by offering free, advanced AI services, including a Korean version of ChatGPT, while also pledging to secure over 50 thousand high-performance GPUs. Kim, plans to set up a public-private fund to foster AI unicorns and vows to train 200-thousand young specialists through graduate programs and software-focused universities. But both agree that Korea's regulations are outdated ---with Lee calling for special exemptions, and Kim pushing to align regulations with global standards. Reform Party candidate Lee Jun-seok, currently third in the polls, has proposed market-driven AI innovation with minimal state intervention. And another issue that has garnered much attention is each candidate's bid to improve work-life balance. " he (Lee Jae-myung) also focused on a 4-point-5 day workweek that is aimed at reducing worker fatigue and improving their work-life balance, . If you look at Kim Moon-soo's proposal, he believes that with good negotiations between workers and employers, a more flexible situation can be achieved without dramatic changes." Lee has proposed reducing the standard workweek from 40 to 36 hours by cutting Friday afternoons , without reducing wages. Kim's plan, adds an extra hour per day from Monday to Thursday for a shorter Friday without reducing total hours, and includes exemptions to the 52-hour cap for the semiconductor sector. And Lee Jun-seok,.. instead of a 4-point-5-day workweek proposal, has pledged labor reforms that include giving local governments the authority to adjust the minimum wage to revitalize regional economies. Though each candidate's visions differ, their focus on the economy underscores its central role in this election. Lee Soo-jin, Arirang News.