Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus, I’m Kim Mok-yeon.
South Korea is entering a pivotal chapter in its democratic journey.
Just months after a dramatic presidential impeachment and the declaration of martial law, the nation now faces an election that could redefine its political future.
Both major parties are recalibrating under pressure.
The Democratic Party is poised to nominate its former leader Lee Jae-myung, while the People Power Party is fielding a wider slate of candidates—Kim Mun-soo, Hong Jun-pyo, Oh Se-hoon, and more, each reflecting a different vision for conservatism in a post-Yoon era.
With early voting just days before election day and an unusually compressed campaign timeline, the race is accelerating fast—and so are voter expectations.
So what’s shaping the race, and how are parties responding to a fractured public?
For answers to these questions, we invite Hwang Kyung-moon, Korea Foundation Professor at Australian National University. Welcome.
Also joining us is Choi Hyun-sun, a Professor at Myongji University’s Department of Public Administration. Welcome to the program.
1.(HWANG) So, let’s start with Prof. Hwang. As a historian, how would you assess the historical significance of the upcoming presidential election?
2.(HWANG) Given the division over the impeachment of former President Yoon—particularly among conservative voters and within the People Power Party—how should we understand these fractures from a historical perspective? What’s your take, Prof. Hwang?
3.(CHOI) Professor Choi, with the candidate registration deadline set for May 11th and early voting just two weeks before election day, how does this condensed timeline stack up against past elections? And how must parties adapt to effectively reach voters?
4.(CHOI) Early voting is scheduled for May 29th to the 30th, just days before the main election.
How pivotal could this be in shaping the final outcome, and what kind of strategies should candidates employ to drive early turnout, Professor Choi?
5.(HWANG) Following four months of unrest since the declaration of martial law, what key policies are political parties now prioritizing, Prof. Hwang?
6.(CHOI) The Democratic Party seems to be rallying around Lee Jae-myung, while the People Power Party has several high-profile contenders like Kim Mun-soo, Hong Jun-pyo, and Oh Se-hoon. How might these dynamics affect the nomination process and outcomes? What’s your view on how this will play out, Professor Choi?
7.(HWANG) With this impeachment, it marks the second time a conservative president has been removed. What should the conservative camp offer to rally and unify its base? Especially in today’s political climate, Prof. Hwang, how can they regain cohesion?
8.(HWANG) As for the liberal Democratic Party, what must the party present to broaden its appeal beyond its loyal base? In your view, Prof. Hwang, how can the party position itself amid ongoing national uncertainty?
9.(CHOI) Former President Yoon Suk Yeol moved back to his private residence in Seocho-dong today. How influential do you expect him to be in the upcoming presidential race, particularly within the conservative bloc? Could he shape the political narrative or throw his support behind a candidate, Professor Choi?
10.(CHOI) In the wake of the impeachment, what institutional or electoral reforms might be on the horizon? And how could they reshape future campaigns and governance? Where do you see the system heading from here, Professor Choi?
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=282451
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