The conservative party candidate, Kim Moon-soo, has said he wants to build-up South Korea’s military as a way to deter Pyongyang. However, the democratic party candidate, Lee Jae Myung, is keen to restart dialogue with the North. He also wants to strengthen ties with China, something that could create friction with the US.

Millions of South Koreans are voting for a new president in a snap election triggered by the ouster of Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative who faces a criminal trial over his short-lived imposition

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea’s next president on Wednesday following a dramatic snap election six months after the country’s previous leader declared martial law and plunged the nation into chaos.