Today is the "Judgment Day" in South Korea: Who will be the new president?

The new president will face the challenge of uniting a nation still recovering from recent events and an export-oriented economy recovering from unpredictable protectionist moves by the United States, its main trading partner and security ally.

A large turnout is expected - polling stations open at 6 a.m. local time, and citizens can vote until 8 p.m. During early voting on Thursday and Friday, more than a third of the total of 44.39 million voters had already cast their ballots. According to data from the National Election Commission, 1.08 million citizens voted by 7 a.m. at 14,295 polling stations across the country, representing 2.4 percent of the electorate.

The leading candidates wrapped up a three-week official campaign tour late on Monday, pledging to put political turmoil behind them and breathe new life into the struggling economy. Both liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung and conservative Kim Moon-soo have promised change for the country, arguing that the political system and economic model established during the country's rise as a young democracy and industrial power are no longer adequate. Their plans to invest in innovation and technology often overlap, with Lee advocating greater social equality and helping low- and middle-income families, while Kim emphasizes the need to allow businesses greater freedom.

Despite all the economic and social initiatives, Yun's failed attempt to impose martial law remains the theme dominating the election.

Lee called the election "doomsday" for Kim and his People's Power Party (PPP), accusing them of allowing Yun's move by not doing more to prevent it. Kim was Yun's labor minister when Yun declared martial law on December 3.

On the other hand, the conservative Kim called Lee a "dictator" and his Democratic Party a "monster," warning that if the former human rights lawyer becomes president, nothing will stop them from working together to change laws just because they don't like them.

According to polls last week, Lee is the favorite with 49 percent of the public's support, a 14-point lead over Kim, although Kim has managed to close the gap even further since the start of the campaign. Exit polls will be published after the polls close. Ballots will first be sorted and counted by machine, then checked manually three times by election officials. It is not yet known when the final election results could be announced.

In the 2022 presidential election, Lee conceded defeat around 3 a.m. the day after the vote, and Yun won the tightest presidential race in the country's history, which was decided by less than one percentage point. The National Electoral Commission plans to officially confirm the results on Wednesday, and the inauguration of the winner will take place within hours. There will be no handover of office, as the office was left vacant after Yun's impeachment and removal.