News
Polling stations close for 21st presidential election
2025/06/04 02:00
Voters in the country voted all day, stopping by at polling stations to exercise their rights. Ahn Sung-jin went out to hear their voices. The 21st presidential election has come to an end. "From 6 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday, more than 14,000 voting stations nationwide, including this one in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, were open." Starting early in the morning with the older members of the population showing up as soon as the polling stations opened, to families with young children, throughout the 14 hours of voting, people continued to show up to cast their ballots, right up until the last minute before polling stations closed. "This is my first vote ever, and I'm proud to be participating in it. I would like them to work on making Korea a better country to live in." "Now that I've finished voting, I'm going to go to work right away. I hope someone honest becomes the president." "Our economy is going through a difficult time right now, so I hope the new president can boost our economy domestically and internationally and also improve people's livelihoods." After they headed out of the polling booths, many were seen 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 an "I voted" movement. There are also these kinds of certification sheets with art or characters on them, where people can get stamps to show that they've voted. Voters came to exercise their right to vote in hopes of electing a president who'll lead South Korea through a pivotal period. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.
Lee Jae-myung Projected as 21st President of South Korea: What to Take Away
2025/06/04 02:00
For insights, Attorney An Junseong joins us live. Mr. An, thank you for coming on so early in the morning. 1. We now have a clear picture of who the winner is. Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea is highly projected as South Korea's 21st president. How do you see the election result? 2. It's another leadership change from a conservative government to a liberal one. What were the possible factors that led to this result? 3. Lee Jae-myung delivered his victory speech in Yeouido. He seemed to have chosen his words carefully. What did you make of his speech? 4. The new government will be launched right away without a transition team. What should we expect from the new president on day 1? 5. Now, Lee Jae-myung has won the presidential election, and the Democratic Party of Korea holds a majority in parliament. What does this mean for the new administration? 6. This year's estimated voter turnout stood at almost 80-percent --the highest in nearly three decades. What does this number tell us about voter engagement? Q. It's a snap election to be held after a president was impeached. How would you describe this election? Q. The country witnessed the short-lived martial law some six months ago, and now it's holding a snap election. How would you assess the system of Korea's democracy and its resilience? Q. Social division and ideological conflict are nothing new, but they have been highlighted more than ever. What would be the task of the next president with this issue in mind?
Election 2025: DP's Lee Jae-myung projected to become next president of S. Korea
2025/06/04 02:00
Now let's go over to our Bae Eun-ji, once again, at our election wall for the latest on the election results. Eun-ji, give us the updates. Jung-min, the voter turnout for this election reached almost 80-percent, the highest in 28 years. This shows just how many people made efforts to engage in democracy, especially after the country went through six months of turmoil sparked by a failed martial law attempt. Much of the votes have now been counted, so let's take a look at the exact numbers.
Live from ballot counting station for S. Korea's next president
2025/06/04 02:00
Now, while we have a clear winner, ballot counting continues until all the votes are counted. Our Park Kun-woo is standing by at one of the counting stations. Kun-woo, how's it looking there? Jung-min, I'm currently standing at the ballot counting station set up at Seoul National University in southern Seoul, one of the 2-hundred-54 counting stations nationwide. As you mentioned, we do seem to have a clear winner after five to six hours of counting, but as the counting rate still stands at over 80 percent, the process continues. The process here has been running smoothly and orderly. There was even some snack time at around midnight for the people counting to have a break. However, in some places, there were minor disturbances as a few observers shouted that the process seemed suspicious or that the CCTV inside wasn't working properly. Police intervened to restore order and allow the counting to continue. The National Election Commission expects the counting to be completed by 6 AM Wednesday. Then at 7 to 9 AM, the NEC is expected to confirm the winner. Right afterwards, the winner will be able to start his presidential term. Now, about the eight key sections, how the counting works. First, after the ballot boxes were transported to counting stations under a police escort and with election observers, they were checked for any issues. Then, the boxes were opened, and ballots were neatly organized. The ballots are then fed into a sorting machine that automatically classifies them by candidate. Introduced in 2002, the machine has significantly sped up the process. And the machines aren't connected to any network, making hacking them impossible. Classified ballots are known to be manually checked in this election. The ballots are then manually checked once more to filter out any invalid votes. It then goes through two final rounds of verification, and then there's an official announcement by the commissioner. What's being done to ensure transparency throughout the ballot-counting process? A total of around 70-thousand personnel have been deployed to ensure transparency, especially as there has been some speculation of electoral fraud. Personnel includes election observers -6 from each party with a candidate, and 3 for each independent candidate. Police authorities raised the national emergency level alert to the highest, "Gapho," from 6 AM this morning nationwide, enabling full mobilization, including special security forces outside counting centers. The National Fire Agency has been mobilized in case of emergencies as well. And that's all I have for you now. Back to you, Jung-min.
PPP's Kim Moon-soo accepts defeat in 21st presidential election
2025/06/04 02:00
Now, to the PPP's headquarters. Our correspondent Kim Do-yeon is on the line. Do-yeon, has Kim Moon-soo delivered his concession speech? Jung-min, just a few moments ago People Power Party candidate Kim Moon-soo came here to the party's headquarters across the street from the National Assembly to officially accept defeat in the election. He first accepted the defeat and then congratulated his rival Lee Jae-myung on the win. He offered his thanks for the support he received. His message was short, and after wrapping up, he didn't take any questions but shook hands with the camp members and the media and left the briefing room. The media had been waiting since early in the evening for Kim to emerge and concede defeat. At about 30 past midnight, the reporters in the situation room were notified that Kim would be coming to the campaign headquarters to face the media, but after arriving at around 1:20 AM, he waited for Lee Jae-myung to finish his victory speech down the street. As for the campaign's election night, with the exit polls showing a double-digit gap, the mood inside the PPP camp remained subdued and somber throughout. The campaign, still grappling with the fallout from the martial law declaration and the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, tried to carefully balance its message — aiming not to upset Yoon and the party's loyal base while also reaching out to undecided voters by creating some distance from Yoon. Kim had trailed his rival Lee Jae-myung throughout the campaign sometimes in double digits in polls. And while the final count isn't in yet, he managed to narrow the gap — avoiding a double-digit loss in the end. Thanks for the latest.
S. Korea Decides: Expert analysis of 2025 presidential election results
2025/06/04 00:00
It's just past midnight here in Seoul, and with over 50 percent of ballots now counted, the presidential race is coming into focus—with exit polls and major broadcasters projections showing Lee Jae-myung decisively leading the race. But beyond the numbers, tonight's election sends a powerful message about the public's hopes and expectations for the country's future. To help us unpack what this means, we're joined once again by Professor Hans Schattle from Yonsei University. Thank you for staying with us, Professor. 1. As we go halfway through ballot counting, and the exit polls are out, we're seeing a clearer picture take shape. 2. Let's circle back to the election itself, in the final weekend, candidates focused heavily on specific regions — Lee Jae-myung in the capital and Chungcheong, Kim Moon-soo in Gangwon and Gyeongbuk, and Lee Jun-seok targeting youth in urban areas. 3. We've talked about the youth vote and generational divides. Based on the numbers we're seeing now, are there signs that younger voters showed up — and did they swing the race in any meaningful way? 4. We've focused a lot on numbers — but stepping back, what do you think this vote says about how the public is feeling politically, socially, and economically right now? Does this feel like a protest vote, a call for change, or a vote for stability? 5. Looking beyond the domestic picture, how might the outcome of this election — should current trends hold — reshape South Korea's approach to diplomacy, especially with the U.S., China and North Korea? 6. Now that we're seeing a clearer outcome in the presidential race — let's delve deeper into the candidate's personal background. It seems as though Lee Jae-myung is now on the verge of becoming president, pending final confirmation. From a factory worker to a human rights lawyer and now a politician — it's quite a trajectory. How did his personal journey shape the way he's been received by voters? 7. He's also been building political capital for years. From mayor of Seongnam to governor of Gyeonggi-do Province, how did that rise prepare him for this moment? 8. But his path hasn't been without danger. He survived an assassination attempt in early 2024 — an event that shocked the country. Can you remind us what happened and how that moment reshaped the tone of this race? 9. Looking at the broader political backdrop, the Democratic Party secured a dominant majority in the 22nd general election last April. Do you think that strengthened Lee's — and his party's — position as this presidential race took shape? 10. And following the Constitutional Court's decision on April 4th to uphold former President Yoon's impeachment, Lee formally declared his candidacy. Was that a turning point? How significant was his decision to resign as party leader and step into the race? 11. A preliminary count shows Lee Jae-myung winning over 48 percent of the vote. How should we read that margin in terms of the national mood and public support? 12. So we are waiting for Lee Jae-myung to deliver his victory speech. What typically defines a moment like this in Korean politics — and what do you expect in terms of tone, setting, and message? 13. Looking ahead, how do you expect Lee Jae-myung to position himself as president — especially coming into office with such a dramatic backstory and high expectations? 14. As someone who's studied Korean democracy for years, what developments would you hope to see from this new chapter in leadership? -Just six months ago, the country experienced a brief period of martial law with the National Assembly placed under control. Now, at the very same venue, the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung is expected to deliver his victory speech. What does this dramatic turn of events say about the state of South Korea's democracy and political climate?
Live from DP Campaign HQ: Party watches vote counts following exit poll results
2025/06/04 00:00
As the nation awaits the final election results, the candidates and their parties are likely feeling the tension more than anyone. For a look at the atmosphere inside the major rival camps, we turn to our political correspondents on the ground. Let's begin with Shin Ha-young, who's standing by at the Democratic Party's headquarters. Ha-young, what's it like there? Mok-yeon, I'm currently at the campaign headquarters of the Democratic Party of Korea, where, as you can see behind me, none of the members of the election campaign committee are present. Unlike a couple of hours ago when the exit poll predicted Lee with 51-point-7percent of the vote, and applause and cheers broke out here at the headquarters, they have all left. Candidate Lee Jae-myung is also not here. Separate from the campaign headquarters, the DP has been holding an event for the past two hours at an outdoor stage in Yeouido, near the National Assembly, where party members and supporters are watching the vote count together. Lee is expected to head there and deliver a speech once his victory becomes more certain. Meanwhile, regarding the exit poll results, DP Floor Leader and Acting Chairman Park Chan-dae, who also serves as a chair of the campaign committee, told reporters that the people have sent a strong message to the previous administration. While he noted that the final results still need to be watched, he added that if Lee wins a majority, it will help unite the country and overcome the crisis. Mok-yeon.
Live from ballot counting station for S. Korea's next president
2025/06/04 00:00
Ballot counting is now in full swing at hundreds of counting stations across the country, with over 50 percent of the votes counted. For more on how the process is unfolding on the ground, we turn to our reporter Park Kun-woo, who's standing by at one of the key sites tonight. Kun-woo, good to have you back with us. Great to be back, Mok-yeon. So Kun-woo, walk us through what you're seeing there. How is the ballot counting progressing in your location? Yes, I'm currently standing at the ballot counting station set up at Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu District, southern Seoul. This is one of the 2-hundred-54 counting stations nationwide, including 25 here in Seoul. As counting began at around 8:30 PM, it's been about three to four hours since the process started. As we just learned, the nationwide ballot counting rate stands at around 40 percent, and I can report that the process here has been running smoothly and orderly. In some places, there were minor disturbances as a few observers shouted that the process seemed suspicious or that the CCTV inside wasn't working properly. Police intervened to restore order and allow the counting to continue. Since the voter turnout had already surpassed that of the previous presidential election an hour before polls closed, the counting process is expected to take a bit more time. Now, about how the counting works. There are eight key sections involved in the process. First, after the ballot boxes are safely transported to counting stations under a police escort and election observers, they are received by the ballot reception team to check for any issues. Then, the boxes are passed on to the box-opening team, where the ballots are taken out and neatly organized. The ballots are then fed into a sorting machine that automatically classifies them by candidate. Introduced in 2002, the machine has significantly sped up the process. And the machines aren't connected to any network, making hacking them impossible. Classified ballots are known to be manually checked in this election. The ballots are then moved to the review team, where they're manually checked once more to filter out any invalid votes. It then goes through two final rounds of verification before being confirmed and officially announced by the commissioner. Early votes or votes from overseas are also being counted as soon as they arrive. It's a lengthy process indeed—and a crucial one. I understand election authorities are making every effort to ensure transparency throughout the ballot counting process. Tell us more. That's right. A total of around 70-thousand personnel have been deployed. That includes election observers -6 from each party with a candidate, and 3 for each independent candidate. Police authorities raised the national emergency level alert to the highest, "Gapho," from 6 AM this morning nationwide, enabling full mobilization, including special security forces outside counting centers. The National Fire Agency has been mobilized in case of emergencies as well. The National Election Commission expects the counting to be completed by 6 AM Wednesday. But normally, the leading candidate is revealed earlier. In the 20th presidential election, the projected winner was announced at 2 AM due to a neck-and-neck race. And it was announced around 10 PM during the 19th election. This time, the projection is expected to be made around midnight, so I'll be bringing you updates in our later newscasts.
Polling stations close for 21st presidential election
2025/06/04 00:00
While candidates and parties have dominated the headlines, the voices that matter most in any election are those of the voters. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin hit the streets to hear directly from citizens about what this presidential race has meant to them, and what they hope to see moving forward. The 21st presidential election has come to an end. "From 6 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday, more than 14,000 voting stations nationwide, including this one in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, were open." Starting early in the morning with the older members of the population showing up as soon as the polling stations opened, to families with young children, throughout the 14 hours of voting, people continued to show up to cast their ballots, right up until the last minute before polling stations closed. "This is my first vote ever, and I'm proud to be participating in it. I would like them to work on making Korea a better country to live in." "Now that I've finished voting, I'm going to go to work right away. I hope someone honest becomes the president." "Our economy is going through a difficult time right now, so I hope the new president can boost our economy domestically and internationally and also improve people's livelihoods." After they headed out of the polling booths, many were seen 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 an "I voted" movement. There are also these kinds of certification sheets with art or characters on them, where people can get stamps to show that they've voted. Voters came to exercise their right to vote in hopes of electing a president who'll lead South Korea through a pivotal period. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.
Live: PPP camp's situation room as media call DP's Lee as projected winner
2025/06/04 00:00
Now, let's turn to Kim Do-yeon, who's standing by at the PPP's campaign headquarters. Do-yeon, how's the mood over there at the moment? Mok-yeon, as you can see, not much has changed since we last spoke about two hours ago. Most of the camp members had left by eight thirty, and since the exit poll results it has been largely quiet here with something of a somber atmosphere. Kim Moon-soo is believed to be still at his home in southern Seoul. As Ha-young mentioned, much of the media have already called DP's Lee Jae-myung as being the projected winner. The media is still waiting to see if Kim will make his stop here at the situation room to accept the loss, but last time an official from the camp met with reporters, he said no words have come from Kim yet. Kim, as you know, has consistently trailed DP's Lee Jae-myung in national polls, often well outside the margin of error — largely due to backlash over the martial law declaration and the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Still, there was cautious hope that Kim's relentless campaign might have sparked a late turnaround — banking on support from shy conservatives and undecided voters. But again, that doesn't seem to be the case. That's the latest for now. Back to you. Thank you for bringing us the updates Doyeon and Hayoung, much appreciated.
Halfway through vote counting: Expert analysis of what voting numbers already tell us
2025/06/03 22:00
For those of you who are just joining us, you're watching Arirang TV's special coverage of South Korea's 21st presidential election. It's just past 10 PM here in Seoul, and ballot counting has been underway for about two hours now. Preliminary results are beginning to come in with exit polls showing a lead for Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung. As we continue to track how voting unfolded throughout the day and what the early numbers may signal moving forward, we're joined now by Hans Schattle, Professor of Political Science at Yonsei University. Professor, thank you for being with us at this late hour. 1.So, Professor, as we approach the halfway point in tonight's ballot counting, and early results are slowly coming in alongside exit poll results forecasting Lee Jae-myung of the DP to take 50 percent of the votes. So far what stands out to you about the day? 2. Also, something to note is that early voting this year hit 34.74 percent, the second-highest on record. We've seen both camps claim different meanings from early turnout. How should we interpret these competing narratives? 3. Lately, we saw candidates focus on specific regional strongholds during their final campaign pushes. Prof., how much do these geographic strategies still matter in South Korean elections? 4. We cannot rule out cooperation with the legislative body when speaking about politics. As of now, the Democratic Party and its allies hold around 188 seats—surpassing the 180-seat fast-track threshold. Then what does this mean for the next president's ability to govern? Also, how might this affect the balance of power between the presidency and the legislature? 5. So while the numbers in parliament will shape the president's legislative reality, the bigger picture is also about the kind of public support they walk into office with. Regardless of the winner tonight, what kind of mandate do you think this election result will give the next administration? 6. From a regional standpoint, how might the outcome of this election reshape South Korea's approach to diplomacy, especially with the U.S., China, and North Korea? 7. In your view, what will be the first real test of leadership for the incoming president—what challenge will define their opening months in office?
Polling stations close for 21st presidential election
2025/06/03 22:00
While candidates and parties have dominated the headlines, the voices that matter most in any election are those of the voters. My colleague Ahn Sung-jin hit the streets to hear directly from citizens about what this presidential race has meant to them, and what they hope to see moving forward. The 21st presidential election has come to an end. "From 6 AM to 8 PM on Tuesday, more than 14,000 voting stations nationwide, including this one in Sadang-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, were open." Starting early in the morning with the older members of the population showing up as soon as the polling stations opened, to families with young children, throughout the 14 hours of voting, people continued to show up to cast their ballots, right up until the last minute before polling stations closed. "This is my first vote ever, and I'm proud to be participating in it. I would like them to work on making Korea a better country to live in." "Now that I've finished voting, I'm going to go to work right away. I hope someone honest becomes the president." "Our economy is going through a difficult time right now, so I hope the new president can boost our economy domestically and internationally and also improve people's livelihoods." After they headed out of the polling booths, many were seen 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 an "I voted" movement. There are also these kinds of certification sheets with art or characters on them, where people can get stamps to show that they've voted. Voters came to exercise their right to vote in hopes of electing a president who'll lead South Korea through a pivotal period. Ahn Sung-jin, Arirang News.
South Korea Election 2025: Exit polls and latest on voter turnout
2025/06/03 22:00
Now, let’s turn to Bae Eun-ji, who’s standing by at our election wall, where she’ll walk us through the exit poll results and voter turnout figures—with the numbers visualized in real time. Eun-ji, what can you tell us? Mok-yeon, this year's election recorded a very high voter turnout, with many people heading to the polling stations, especially after the country went through six months of turmoil sparked by a failed martial law attempt, then followed by the impeachment of the president. The ballots are now being counting,.. and while we wait for the final results, let's take a look at the exit polls first.
Live: PPP camp's situation room empty shortly after exit poll results
2025/06/03 22:00
Now, let's turn to Kim Do-yeon, who's standing by at the PPP's campaign headquarters. Do-yeon, how's the mood over there at the moment? Mok-yeon, many of the People Power Party members left the situation room at around eight thirty. No official response from the party yet. And with the exit poll results showing a digit difference, the camp, of course, has a somber atmosphere. The only thing we heard from the interim leader, Kim Yong-tae, was that he'll be watching the vote count. Kim Moon-soo has not shown himself to the public yet, either; he's currently at his home in southern Seoul. Now the result, to some camp members here, was a surprise, as they believed a comeback was made during the past few days. Of course, there were no open surveys published but they felt the momentum building. Kim, as you know, has consistently trailed DP's Lee Jae-myung in national polls, often well outside the margin of error — largely due to backlash over the martial law declaration and the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Still, there was cautious hope that Kim's relentless campaign might have sparked a late turnaround — banking on support from shy conservatives and undecided voters. That's the latest for now. Back to you. Thank you for bringing us the updates Doyeon and Hayoung, do keep us updated throughout.
Live from DP Campaign HQ: Party watches vote counts following exit poll results
2025/06/03 22:00
As the nation awaits the final election results, the candidates and their parties are likely feeling the tension more than anyone. For a look at the atmosphere inside the major rival camps, we turn to our political correspondents on the ground. Let's begin with Shin Ha-young, who's standing by at the Democratic Party's headquarters. Ha-young, what's it like there? Mok-yeon, I'm currently at the campaign headquarters of the Democratic Party of Korea, set up inside the National Assembly Members' Office Building. A few hours ago, when the exit poll predicted Lee with 51-point-7percent of the vote, applause and cheers broke out here at the headquarters. But now, as you can see behind me, not many members of the election campaign committee are still here. Candidate Lee Jae-myung is not here yet, as he is currently at his home in Incheon's Gyeyang-gu District. Regarding the exit poll results, DP Floor Leader and Acting Chairman Park Chan-dae, who also serves as a chair of the campaign committee, told reporters that the people have sent a strong message against the previous administration. Meanwhile, separate from this campaign headquarters, the DP is now holding an event at an outdoor stage in Yeouido, near the National Assembly, where some party members and supporters are watching the vote count together. Lee is expected to head either to the headquarters, here, or both, and deliver a speech once his victory becomes more certain. Mok-yeon.
Live from ballot counting station for S. Korea's 21st presidential election
2025/06/03 22:00
Just hours after polls closed at 8 PM, ballot counting is now in full swing at hundreds of counting stations across the country. For more on how the process is unfolding on the ground, we turn to our reporter Park Kun-woo, who's standing by at one of the key sites tonight. Kun-woo, good to have you with us. Evening, Mok-yeon. So Kun-woo, walk us through what you're seeing there. How is the ballot counting progressing in your location? Yes, I'm currently standing at the ballot counting station set up at Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu District, southern Seoul. This is one of the 2-hundred-54 counting stations nationwide, including 25 here in Seoul. Voting ended at 8 PM Korea time, and counting began shortly afterwards at around 8:30 PM starting from Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, so it's been about one or two hours since the process started. As of 10 PM, we just learned that the nationwide ballot counting rate stands at around 1 percent, and so far, the process has been running smoothly and orderly. Since the voter turnout had already surpassed that of the previous presidential election an hour before polls closed, the counting process is expected to take a bit more time. Now, about how the counting works. There are eight key sections involved in the process. First, after the ballot boxes are safely transported to counting stations under a police escort and election observers, they are received by the ballot reception team to check for any issues. Then, the boxes are passed on to the box-opening team, where the ballots are taken out and neatly organized. The ballots are then fed into a sorting machine that automatically classifies them by candidate. Introduced in 2002, the machine has significantly sped up the process. And the machines aren't connected to any network, making hacking them impossible. Classified ballots are known to be manually checked in this election. The ballots are then moved to the review team, where they're manually checked once more to filter out any invalid votes. It then goes through two final rounds of verification before being confirmed and officially announced by the commissioner. Early votes or votes from overseas are also being counted as soon as they arrive. It's a lengthy process indeed—and a crucial one. I understand election authorities are making every effort to ensure transparency throughout the ballot counting process. Tell us more. That's right. A total of around 70-thousand personnel have been deployed. That includes election observers -6 from each party with a candidate, and 3 for each independent candidate. Police authorities raised the national emergency level alert to the highest, "Gapho," from 6 AM this morning nationwide, enabling full mobilization. The National Fire Agency has been mobilized in case of emergencies as well. The National Election Commission expects the counting to be completed by 6 AM Wednesday. But normally, the leading candidate is revealed earlier. In the 20th presidential election, the projected winner was announced at 2 AM due to a neck-and-neck race. And it was announced around 10 PM during the 19th election. This time, the projection is expected to be made around midnight, so I'll be bringing you updates in our later newscasts.
PPP campaign awaits exit poll results, hoping for comeback
2025/06/03 19:30
Now to our Kim Do-yeon, who's been with the People Power Party's Kim Moon-soo campaign. Do-yeon, what's the atmosphere there like? Jung-min, the atmosphere here is picking up with just about 30 minutes left until the exit polls come out. Key figures from the PPP have started arriving to watch the results together. Candidate Kim Moon-soo himself isn't here yet — he's expected to stay at his home in southern Seoul to watch the initial results. We've seen interim leader Kim Yong-tae and several of Kim Moon-soo's former primary rivals, now standing united behind him. Despite the busy scene, there's little laughter — the mood is tense, almost anxious. This could be because the PPP entered this race on the back foot. Kim has consistently trailed DP's Lee Jae-myung in national polls, often well outside the margin of error — largely due to backlash over the martial law declaration and the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol. Still, there's cautious hope that Kim's relentless campaign might spark a late turnaround — banking on support from shy conservatives and undecided voters. Earlier today, Kim posted a statement on Facebook, urging voters to stop DP's Lee Jae-myung from taking power, calling this election the "final opportunity" to block what he described as "monstrous autocracy." He also once again highlighted his pledge to strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance — a key theme throughout his campaign. That's the latest for now. Back to you. Thanks for that. We will be connecting to you guys again in a few minutes. Don't go anywhere.
Live from DP Campaign HQ: DP election campaign committee gathers to watch exit poll; Lee remains at home
2025/06/03 19:30
Let's first check in with our campaign correspondents. Our Shin Ha-young has been following the campaign of the Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Jae-myung. Ha-young, what are you hearing from inside the campaign? Jung-min. I'm currently at the campaign headquarters of the Democratic Party of Korea, set up inside the National Assembly Members' Office Building. As you can see behind me, this place is now bustling with media crews ready to capture the moment the exit polls are released. Members of the election campaign committee have started gathering here to watch the exit poll results together, which are set to be announced in about 30 minutes. However, DP candidate Lee Jae-myung is not here, as he is currently staying at his home in Incheon's Gyeyang-gu District and has no official schedule for the day. He's expected to come here to the campaign headquarters once the election results begin to take shape. Earlier today, in a social media post, Lee urged people to vote, saying that only voting can stop what he describes as an insurrection that has continued since the December martial law declaration and bring a new era of hope. He added that he would serve as a faithful tool for the people to help them overcome the crisis. The DP believes Lee has the upper hand, given that he was leading in national polls before the blackout for new polls six days ago. But still, there's a sense of caution, with party members saying they can't let their guard down until the very end. Jung-min.
21st Presidential Election: What to Take Away
2025/06/03 19:30
We are about ?? minutes away from the exit poll being released. Joining us are Choi Hyunsun, Professor of Public Administration at Myongji University and Youngshik Bong, Visiting Professor at Yonsei University. Good to have you on the program. 1. It's the second snap election to be held after a president was impeached, with the previous one following Park Geun-hye's impeachment in 2017. How would you describe this election? 2. The country witnessed the short-lived martial law some six months ago, and now it's holding a snap election. How would you assess the system of Korea's democracy and its resilience? 3. Social division and ideological conflict are nothing new, but they have been highlighted more than ever. What would be the task of the next president with this issue in mind? 3-1. This time, the DP's Lee Jae-myung had to give speeches behind bulletproof glass. Should South Korea be concerned about extremism? 4. In the 80s and 90s, voter turnout was relatively high, at over 80-percent. The lowest was in 2007 at 63-percent. How does voter turnout affect the election outcome? 5. This year's overseas voter turnout hit the highest of almost 80-percent. This time, more polling stations have been added, including in Cuba. What does this tell about voter engagement from overseas? 6. Which groups are swing voters? 7. Is there a particular region, age or gender that you're keeping an eye on? 8. What should we be on the lookout for tonight? 9. A candidacy merger within the conservative bloc, involving Kim Moon-soo and Lee Jun-seok, did not happen. Do you think this would affect the result of the race?
Foreign media outlets reporting in real time on S. Korea's presidential election
2025/06/03 19:30
Meantime, the political events taking place here in South Korea have been making quite a bit of international headlines as well. Here's our Kim Bo-kyoung. 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.