South Korea votes for new president

A total of 28,950 police have been deployed since 06:00 local time (22:00 BST) when polling booths opened, Yonhap says, citing the Korean National Police Agency.

Authorities will maintain the highest level of emergency security - which means all police personnel can be mobilised - until the new president enters office, Yonhap says.

Before the tumultuous events of 3 December 2024, Lee Jae–myung's path to South Korea's presidency was littered with obstacles.

Ongoing legal cases, investigations for corruption and allegations of abusing power all looked set to derail the former opposition leader's second presidential bid.

Then former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, tried to invoke martial law - setting in motion a series of events that have apparently cleared the path for Lee, who was his main rival.

Polls have suggested that Lee, the Democratic Party candidate, is the frontrunner to win this election.