SOUTH KOREA SETS JUNE 3 FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

SEOUL, April 8 (Bernama-Yonhap) – The South Korean government on Tuesday formally designated June 3 as the date of the next presidential election, following the ouster of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The designation was made at a Cabinet meeting four days after the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of Yoon over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December.

Under the Constitution, the country is required to hold a new election within 60 days after a vacancy arises in the presidency.

The government also designated June 3 as a temporary public holiday.

The National Election Commission began early candidate registration shortly after the Constitutional Court dismissed Yoon last Friday.

Candidates will be required to register by May 11, and the official campaign period will kick off on May 12.

The law also requires a public servant running for president to resign at least 30 days before an election, making May 4 the deadline.

The new president will assume office immediately after the election without a transition team.

When former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office on March 10, 2017, the early election was also held exactly 60 days later, on May 9.

-- BERNAMA-YONHAP