South Korea has been effectively leaderless since December, when former president Yoon attempted to subvert civilian rule but was quickly impeached by lawmakers and suspended from office.
A court last week upheld his impeachment, stripping him of the top job, and triggering fresh elections, which must be held within 60 days.
The government had held “discussions with the National Election Commission and other related agencies”, Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said on Tuesday.
It also took into account “the need to ensure smooth election operations and allow sufficient time for political parties to prepare,” he said.
As a result they have decided “to set June 3 as the date for South Korea’s 21st presidential election,” he said, adding that the day would be designated as a temporary public holiday to facilitate voting.
Han called upon ministries and the National Election Commission to “make thorough preparations to ensure an election that is fairer and more transparent than ever, and one that can earn the trust of the people.”
Unlike a regular poll, where a president-elect has a two-month transition period, the winner of the June 3 election will be inaugurated the following day.
Han resumed acting as president recently after the Constitutional Court threw out his own impeachment.
Presidential elections are typically held on Wednesdays, but no specific weekday is required for snap polls triggered by a vacancy.
The official campaign period will run from May 12 until June 2.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is the frontrunner in any polls, with a 34 percent support rating according to the latest Gallup poll.
His party already controls the National Assembly.
He narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election but staged a political comeback as leader of the main opposition, despite a career shadowed by legal troubles, including ongoing trials.
In distinct second place is Labour Minister Kim Moon-soo.
Polling around nine percent, he leads a pack of challengers from Yoon’s People Power Party, which also includes former party chief Han Dong-hoon.
Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial on charges of insurrection over the martial law bid. (AFP)
