South Koreans went to the polls Tuesday in a snap presidential election following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had controversially imposed martial law and deployed troops to parliament.

Polling began early nationwide, with high turnout expected after over a third of registered voters cast ballots during early voting last week.

The election is widely seen as a referendum on Yoon’s conservative administration, which has plunged the People Power Party into crisis. Leading the race is liberal Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung, with recent polls showing him ahead of conservative rival Kim Moon-soo by 14 percentage points.

Political analysts note widespread disillusionment with conservative leadership, further deepened by internal divisions and failed coalition talks.

The new president will take office immediately upon certification of the results, without a transition period, as South Koreans hope for stability after months of interim leadership.

Observers are closely watching not just for a win, but whether Lee can secure over 50% of the vote to strengthen his mandate.