SKoreans vote for prez in hope of restoring stability after martial law crisis

3/6/2025 12:31

South Koreans were voting for a new president on Tuesday to cap six months of turmoil triggered by a shock martial law briefly imposed by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol that marred the country's reputation as a vibrant, if at times chaotic, democracy.



The new leader will face the challenge of rallying a society deeply scarred by the attempt at military rule and an export-heavy economy reeling from unpredictable protectionist moves by the United States, a major trading partner and a security ally.



Turnout is expected to be high with polls open between 6 a.m. (2100 GMT Monday) until 8 p.m. following early voting when more than a third of the 44.39 million eligible voters cast their ballots.



According to the National Election Commission, as of 11 a.m., 8.1 million people, or just over 18% of the electorate, had voted at 14,295 polling stations around the country.