Lee Jae-myung leads early presidential campaign efforts as South Korea officially opens its June 3 election period. Starting Monday, candidates can publicly campaign with sound equipment until 9 p.m. each day. Outdoor activities without loudspeakers may continue until 11 p.m., allowing for extended voter outreach. Until now, public speeches remained allowed, but the use of amplification was restricted. This shift marks a crucial moment as Lee Jae-myung leads early presidential campaign strategies across key locations.
Lee, the 60-year-old Democratic Party candidate, will begin his campaign at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul. The square holds historic significance for protests against former President Yoon’s martial law declaration last December. The Democratic Party described the venue as a symbol of resistance and democratic reform. Former conservative figure Yoon Yeo-joon, now co-chairing Lee’s campaign, called the election a battle for national restoration. Through bold messaging, Lee Jae-myung leads early presidential campaign rhetoric focused on justice and reform.
Meanwhile, conservative rival Kim Moon-soo launched his campaign just after midnight in southeastern Seoul. He selected a logistics center in Songpa-gu as the starting point for outreach. The People Power Party confirmed his nomination Sunday morning after internal disputes rattled the conservative bloc. Days earlier, party leaders had disqualified Kim and nominated Han Duck-soo instead. However, Kim filed an injunction, and an internal vote reversed the decision, allowing him to return as nominee.
The conservative leadership accused Kim of sabotaging merger talks with Han, complicating efforts to unify their support base. Yet Kim had won the original primary and remained legally eligible by registering before Saturday’s deadline. Han accepted the outcome and offered support but had not confirmed a role in Kim’s campaign. Following the internal chaos, the party’s interim leader resigned late Saturday. In contrast, Lee Jae-myung leads early presidential campaign plans with greater cohesion and preparation.
According to the National Election Commission, seven candidates will compete in the race, including Lee, Kim, and Lee Jun-seok. A Realmeter poll shows Lee holding 52.1 percent support, far ahead of Kim’s 31.1 percent and Jun-seok’s 6.3 percent. The commission will begin posting campaign materials nationwide and distribute printed guides to households. Four televised debates are scheduled, beginning May 18 and continuing through May 27. Lee Jae-myung leads early presidential campaign momentum into a high-stakes and deeply polarized race.
