The first task facing South Korea's next leader: handling Trump

When South Koreans elect a president Tuesday, it will end months of domestic political turmoil — but their choice could change their relationship with the U.S.

When South Koreans elect a new president Tuesday, it will end months of domestic political turmoil — but their choice could bring big changes to the country’s relationship with the United States.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal opposition Democratic Party, had a clear lead in polls going into the election, which is being held six months to the day after then-President Yoon Suk Yeol plunged the East Asian democracy of more than 50 million people into turmoil by abruptly declaring martial law.

Since lawmakers impeached Yoon in December over the short-lived martial law order, South Korea has been stuck in a leadership vacuum, churning through a series of acting presidents. The uncertainty has also constrained the U.S. ally in Washington even as President Donald Trump slapped it with a 25% “reciprocal” tariff, among other levies.

The presidential by-election, which was triggered in April when South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment, promises a return to stability, and South Koreans have turned out in record numbers for early voting.

Members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions holding up cards in Seoul calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to resign.Ahn Young-joon / AP“A lot of people just want to move on, because it’s been a long six months,” said Jennifer Lee, a principal at the Asia Group corporate consultancy in Washington, who recently returned from a trip to South Korea.