Early voting begins in South Korea's presidential polls

Early voting in South Korea's presidential elections began on May 29, with both main candidates casting ballots in an election triggered by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's ill-fated effort to suspend civilian rule in 2024.

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South Koreans are desperate to draw a line under months of political turmoil sparked by Yoon's declaration of martial law, for which he was impeached.

Since then, the Asian democracy has been led by a revolving door of lame-duck acting presidents as its export-driven economy grapples with trade turmoil abroad and sluggish demand at home.

All major polls have placed liberal Lee Jae-myung as the clear front-runner in the presidential race, with a recent Gallup survey showing that 49 percent of respondents viewed him as the best candidate.

Trailing behind him is conservative former labour minister Kim Moon-soo from the ruling People Power Party—Yoon's former party—at 35 percent.

While election day is set for June 3, those who want to vote early can do so on May 29 and May 30.

South Koreans have in recent years turned out in growing numbers for early voting, with 37 percent casting their ballots ahead of polling day in the 2022 presidential election.