Possible candidates for S. Korea's presidency

President Yoon Suk Yeol's term is set to end on May 9, 2027, but with the prospect of his early departure from office, that timeline is likely to be moved up significantly.

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This scenario became more likely after the National Assembly on Dec 14 voted to impeach him, suspending him from his duties while the Constitutional Court reviews whether to uphold or dismiss his removal from office.

While there is a chance, theoretically, that Mr Yoon is reinstated through the trial, South Korea's political discussions are already shifting to who could be the next leader.

According to a survey conducted by Embrain Public on Dec 10 - a week after Yoon's botched attempt at martial law - among 1,005 voters aged 18 and above, 37 per cent chose main opposition Democratic Party chairman Lee Jae-myung as their preferred next leader of South Korea.

Trailing behind him are former justice minister and ruling People Power Party chief Han Dong-hoon with 7 per cent, and Mr Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, with 6 per cent.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and Gyeonggi province's Governor Kim Dong-yeon garnered 5 per cent, 4 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively. The mayors of Seoul and Daegu are members of the conservative ruling bloc, while the Gyeonggi province chief is a member of the Democratic Party.

LEE JAE-MYUNG

Mr Lee was the presidential candidate for the liberal bloc in the 2022 election, losing to Mr Yoon by just 0.73 percentage point, the smallest margin in South Korean history.