South Koreans Vote in Snap Presidential Election Following Yoon’s Ouster — As Church Watches and Prays

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

SEOUL (Worthy News) — Millions of South Koreans cast their ballots Tuesday in a snap presidential election sparked by the dramatic impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who now faces rebellion charges after a brief martial law declaration in December. The election comes at a time of deep national division — but also on the heels of decades of explosive spiritual growth among South Korean Christians, who are praying for revival amid political uncertainty.

Liberal front-runner Lee Jae-myung, whose Democratic Party led the effort to remove Yoon, appeared poised for victory, according to pre-election surveys. His conservative rival, Kim Moon Soo, has struggled to rally moderate voters, as his People Power Party remains fractured over how to reckon with Yoon’s authoritarian actions.

Voting began at 6 a.m. across 14,000 polling stations and ends at 8 p.m., with a winner expected by midnight. By early afternoon, turnout had reached 65.5%, bolstered by the early voting that took place last week. The winner will be sworn in Wednesday — immediately — for a five-year term, facing economic headwinds, pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, and growing nuclear threats from North Korea.

But behind the headlines and political chaos, many South Korean Christians view this moment as a call to spiritual clarity and intercession.

A Church Born in Fire

Over the past five decades, the South Korean Church has grown from a persecuted minority to a global missions powerhouse. In the 1970s, Christians comprised less than 20% of the population. Today, evangelical believers are estimated at over 10 million, with South Korea sending the second-largest number of missionaries in the world, behind only the United States.

Many point to the fervent revivals of the 20th century, including the 1907 Pyongyang Revival, often referred to as the “Korean Pentecost,” as laying the spiritual foundation for today’s Church. Daily 5 a.m. prayer meetings, massive gatherings like the Yoido Full Gospel Church’s services (which once drew over 800,000 attendees), and university campus ministries have profoundly shaped the nation’s spiritual landscape.

Yet, in recent years, amid rising secularism and political scandals, many South Korean pastors have sounded the alarm, urging believers to return to prayer, repentance, and bold witness.

“This is a Kairos Moment”

As citizens lined up to vote, many churches across Seoul and beyond held special prayer vigils. “This is a Kairos moment,” said Rev. Park Ji-hoon, a Seoul-based pastor. “We are not just choosing a leader — we are seeking the mercy of God on our land. We must pray not just for the outcome, but for revival.”

Lee and Kim represent starkly different visions for the future — but many Christians see a deeper issue: a nation at risk of forgetting its spiritual heritage. “Political ideologies come and go,” Rev. Park added. “But the Gospel remains. It’s time for the Church to rise again — not in power, but in prayer.”

Whatever the outcome of the election, believers across South Korea and beyond are praying that this moment of upheaval leads to something greater — not merely political reform, but national revival.

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