 "South Korean soldiers wait in a line to cast their early vote for the upcoming presidential election at a polling station in Seoul, South Korea. Reuters")
South Koreans are scheduled to choose a new president during the first week of June, but experts caution that the winner will be confronted with obstacles in the international arena right away, from both allies and adversaries.
The US administration of President Donald Trump, Seoul’s most significant partner against the North Korean government, is already exerting pressure on Seoul on trade and security matters.
At the same time, South Korea wants to keep vital trading relations with China, a rival of the United States.
With 49.2% of the vote, Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lee Jae-Myung is far ahead of his People Power Party (PPP) opponent Kim Moon Soo, who is only 36.8%, according to the most recent surveys.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached and is currently on trial for his December attempt to declare martial law, has damaged the PPP party’s reputation.
However, Kim has been closing the deficit, and the conservative New Reform Party, a third party, now has 10.3% of the vote, potentially giving it influence over the composition of the next administration.
Although it is unclear if all tariffs would be removed, Seoul and Washington are now engaged in trade negotiations, and there have been indications that a compromise may be possible.
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View AllIn recent weeks, there have been indications that the Pentagon is considering removing almost 4,000 of the 28,000 US troops now stationed in South Korea, making the issue even more sensitive.
Although Trump has frequently threatened to withdraw troops unless Seoul paid more for their presence, the US has downplayed the reports.
Kim Jong Un has now cut off all connection with the South and built further defences on the already heavily fortified border, supported by the alliance with Moscow.
Pyongyang has amassed a larger missile arsenal, and taken the historic step of officially rejecting eventual unification with the South, labelling Seoul a main enemy.
Even though China is South Korea’s largest commercial partner, relations with Beijing are sometimes contentious. China brought in almost $133 billion worth of South Korean goods last year, which accounted for 19.5% of South Korea’s total exports. The US came in second with $128.4 billion and 18.8%.
China claims the facility is part of a fishing project, which is permitted under an existing bilateral agreement. But South Korea fears it is being used to encroach further into the disputed waters and enforce Beijing’s claims to more sea territory.