Polls show main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is the favourite to succeed Yun Seok-yeol, who was ousted for declaring martial law.
South Korea said on Tuesday it would hold snap elections on June 3 to choose a successor to former President Yun Seok-yul, who was ousted last week for trying to impose martial law.
The country's Constitutional Court formally removed Mr. Yun from office on Friday after eight judges unanimously upheld his impeachment by the National Assembly in December.
South Korea has since turned its attention to the question of who should lead the country after months of political upheaval that have tested the resilience of its democracy and weakened its leadership. By law, South Korea must elect a new president within 60 days of the court's ruling.
On Monday, the government reaffirmed June 3 as Election Day, declaring it a national holiday in a bid to boost voter turnout.
In the coming days, rival political parties will schedule primary races to choose their presidential candidates by May 12, when the official campaign begins. Whoever wins the election will take office immediately, without the country's typical two-month transition period.
Until then, South Korea must continue to deal with external challenges, including President Donald Trump's 25 percent tariffs on its goods, under its unelected interim leader, Prime Minister Han Deok-soo.
