South Korea's presidential campaigns kick off, focus on ailing economy


Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate for South Korea's Democratic Party, arrives at his election campaign rally in Seoul, South Korea, May 12, 2025. REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

SEOUL (Reuters) - Contenders for South Korea's presidency kicked off their campaigns on Monday, vowing to unify a deeply polarised society and spur economic growth while navigating trade negotiations with the United States.

Asia's fourth-largest economy will hold a snap presidential election on June 3 to choose Yoon Suk Yeol's successor after the conservative leader was ousted over his shock martial law order that plunged the country into a political crisis.

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